Empathy - can it be taught?

Jeffrey, D. and Downie, R. (2016) Empathy - can it be taught? Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 46(2), pp. 107-112. (doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2016.210) (PMID:27929576)

Abstract

There is now a societal and cultural expectation that doctors and nurses should feel, and display, empathy for their patients. Many commentators argue that medical and nursing students should be taught empathy. Empathy, however, is difficult to define: it is not the same as kindness, as it implies a degree of psychological insight into what the patient is thinking or feeling. Empathy is seen by some as a form of emotional intelligence that can be systematically developed through teaching and positive role models. Here we debate the meaning of empathy, and whether it is truly a quality, or attribute, that can be taught.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Downie, Professor Robert
• Authors: Jeffrey, D., and Downie, R.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• ISSN: 1478-2715
• ISSN (Online): 2042-8189
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• First Published: First published in Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 46(2): 107-112
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy