The role of empathy in therapy and the physician-patient relationship

Jani, B. , Blane, D. and Mercer, S. (2012) The role of empathy in therapy and the physician-patient relationship. Forschende Komplementarmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine, 19(5), pp. 252-257. (doi: 10.1159/000342998)

Abstract

This paper seeks to give an overview of the role of clinical empathy in therapy and in the physician-patient relationship. Researchers have offered definitions of empathy in the clinical context, and a number of validated measures exist. There is evidence from the health-related research literature to support the positive association of clinical empathy with improved therapeutic outcomes in a wide range of clinical settings. Clinical empathy is also understood to be a crucial component of the physician-patient therapeutic relationship. Barriers to the development and expression of empathy in the clinical context are explored, and ways of enhancing empathy discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mercer, Professor Stewart and Blane, Dr David and Jani, Dr Bhautesh
• Authors: Jani, B., Blane, D., and Mercer, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Forschende Komplementarmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine
• ISSN: 1661-4119
• ISSN (Online): 1661-4127
• Published Online: 05 October 2012