Articles: empathy.
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Empathy is a provider attribute that has been a topic of increased clinical interest, particularly as it relates to pain. This article examines various dimensions of the pain and empathy literature: definitions of empathy, research regarding the psychophysiology of empathy for pain, and research related to empathy in psychological and medical care. ⋯ Although this literature supports the clinical value of provider empathy and/or behaviors likely to reflect empathy, little research has explicitly examined empathy in the treatment of pain. Nonetheless, when considered in the broader context, the evidence is sufficient to draw some conclusions regarding approaches to pain care that are likely to reflect and/or elicit provider empathy and are central to effective pain management.
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Although current theories suggest that affective empathy (perceivers' experience of social targets' emotions) should contribute to empathic accuracy (perceivers' ability to accurately assess targets' emotions), extant research has failed to consistently demonstrate a correspondence between them. We reasoned that prior null findings may be attributable to a failure to account for the fundamentally interpersonal nature of empathy, and tested the prediction that empathic accuracy may depend on both targets' tendency to express emotion and perceivers' tendency to empathically share that emotion. Using a continuous affect-rating paradigm, we found that perceivers' trait affective empathy was unrelated to empathic accuracy unless targets' trait expressivity was taken into account: Perceivers' trait affective empathy predicted accuracy only for expressive targets. These data suggest that perceivers' self-reported affective empathy can indeed predict their empathic accuracy, but only when targets' expressivity allows their thoughts and feelings to be read.
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To identify commonalities in the findings of two research studies on humour in diverse settings to illustrate the value of humour in team work and patient care, despite differing contexts. Background. Humour research in health care commonly identifies the value of humour for enabling communication, fostering relationships, easing tension and managing emotions. Other studies identify situations involving serious discussion, life-threatening circumstances and high anxiety as places where humour may not be appropriate. Our research demonstrates that humour is significant even where such circumstances are common place. ⋯ Humour is often considered trivial or unprofessional; this research verifies that it is neither. The value of humour resides, not in its capacity to alter physical reality, but in its capacity for affective or psychological change which enhances the humanity of an experience, for both care providers and recipients of care. Relevance to clinical practice. In the present era which emphasises technology, efficiency and outcomes, humour is crucial for promoting team relationships and for maintaining the human dimension of health care. Nurses should not be reluctant to use humour as a part of compassionate and personalised care, even in critical situations.
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Biography Historical Article
["Without empathy one cannot be a good physician!" Interview with dr. László Romics].