Healthcare and nursing: empathy, personal and social as prerequisites

The relationship built up between patients and professionals in the healthcare arena are fundamental, with doctors who are warm and friendly seemingly more efficient when compared with more formal healthcare workers. Furthermore, it has been recognised that those with empathy are better positioned to achieve more positive outcomes, not only for doctors but also for patients. With the above in mind, it is suggested that a healthcare professional with good qualifications is fundamental as knowledge and expertise in this area facilitate confidence in interacting with and treating patients; it also enables the patient to invest trust in the professional. However, it is recognised that empathy is influential on patients’ experiences, with patient satisfaction recognised as one of the commonly utilised outcome measures when evaluating communication and empathy. Accordingly, the proposition has been made that there is a link between empathy and treatment adherence.