The Burden They Bear: A Scoping Review of Physician Empathy in the ICU
Abstract
Empathy is an important concept discussed in various health professions. For the purposes of this research, I will be defining empathy as a cognitive attribute that involves an ability to understand the patient's pain, suffering, and perspective combined with a capability to communicate this understanding and an intention to help."1 Empathy is often used interchangeably with sympathy and compassion; however, it is important to distinguish these terms in order to study the phenomena, teach it to our trainees, and practice it in clinical work. Sympathy connotes feelings of sorrow and pity for another individual. Compassion implies a concern for another individual or group with the desire to help, but it does not necessarily involve understanding the suffering or perspective involved. Empathy is a distinct cognitive attribute from both sympathy and compassion due to the understanding and communication that is required by empathy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1212206
Entities
People
- Jessica L. Bunin
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences