How can empathy improve shared decision-making with physicians and patients?

1 Why empathy matters

Empathy is not only a moral virtue, but also a clinical competence. Research has shown that empathy can improve patient satisfaction, adherence, trust, and health outcomes. Empathy can also reduce physician burnout, stress, and litigation risk. Empathy can facilitate shared decision-making by creating a rapport between the physician and the patient, by acknowledging the patient's emotions and concerns, and by eliciting the patient's perspective and preferences.

2 How to measure empathy

Empathy can be measured in different ways, depending on the purpose and the context. Some common methods are self-report scales, observer ratings, patient feedback, and physiological indicators. For example, the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy is a widely used self-report instrument that assesses the cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects of empathy in physicians. The Consultation and Relational Empathy measure is a patient feedback tool that evaluates the physician's empathic communication skills during a consultation.

3 How to improve empathy

Empathy is not a fixed trait, but a skill that can be learned and improved. To enhance your empathy, you can reflect on your own emotions and experiences, listen actively and attentively to the patient without judgment, use open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and summarizing to clarify the message, express empathy verbally and nonverbally, validate the patient's feelings and emotions, and explore the patient's values, beliefs, goals, and preferences. Showing warmth, respect, understanding, support, and compassion can go a long way in helping you build a strong connection with your patients.

4 How to apply empathy in shared decision-making

Empathy can be applied in shared decision-making by following the SHARE model, which consists of five steps. Firstly, invite the patient to participate in the decision-making process, and explain the benefits of doing so. Secondly, provide clear and balanced information about the available options, their benefits, risks, and uncertainties, and how they match the patient's values and preferences. Thirdly, ask the patient what matters most to them, what are their goals and expectations, and what are their concerns and fears. Fourthly, discuss the pros and cons of each option with the patient, and help them weigh the trade-offs while respecting their autonomy and choice. Finally, confirm the patient's understanding and satisfaction with the decision, plan the next steps, encourage them to ask questions, and provide them with resources and support.

5 How to overcome barriers to empathy and shared decision-making

Empathy and shared decision-making can be difficult in certain circumstances, such as when there is limited time, conflicting values, complex information, or emotional distress. To overcome these barriers, it's important to prioritize empathy and shared decision-making in quality care, and allocate the necessary time and resources. Additionally, building a trusting and respectful relationship with the patient is essential for acknowledging their autonomy. Plain language, visual aids, decision aids, and teach-back techniques can help to communicate effectively and ensure the patient's comprehension and involvement. Finally, seeking feedback from the patient, colleagues, and mentors can help to reflect on your own performance and areas for improvement. By using these strategies and tips, it is possible to improve your empathy and shared decision-making skills in order to provide better care for your patients.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?