EMPATHY

EMPATHY 

Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel and see things form their point of view.

INTRODUCTION: 

          The Computer can read a list of signs and symptoms and give a diagnosis Robots can perform varies functions, but they don't have the range and experiences and cultural knowledge to drew on that would enable if to treat a person, as well as the illness. The empathic component of medicine is what makes a physician special; without it we are, in essence, highly trained robots and computers. 

TYPE OF EMPATHY:   

EMOTIONAL EMPATHY:  

When you feel sad while watching a sad scene in a movie you share their emotions and feelings.

COGNITIVE EMPATHY: 

This is more than feeling .You are able to understand other person's mental state, put your self in their shoes.

COMPASSIONATE EMPATHY: 

This is empathy compelling us to take action to relieve another person's suffering.

PRACTICING EMPATHY:

•  Eye contact  is essential for establishing connection.
•  Listen to your Patients, let your  patients know that you are listening give a nod .
•  Be  aware of your body language don't ask questions with your hands on the door knob.
•  Listen to non -medical aspects of their condition. Be curious about your patient. Each patient wants to be treated as a person not as an illness.

•  Records details of how their sympathy is affecting their lives, job loss, sick parents, no of children etc .Respond to both their emotional and medical needs.
•  Try to understand people even you don’t agree with them. Try not to the judgmental and identity a common ground.
•  Empathy is therapeutic by reducing anxiety in the patients.
•  The prevalence of someone from disorders has been estimated to be as high as 30 percent and can only be diagnosed by a physician who is carefully attuned to the patient.
•  Corporate are finding ways to commercialize empathy. They train employees on activating the skill of empathy or creating more programmers or products centered on empathy which drive growth and pro job. 
•  Doctors can sometimes get overwhelmed or burned-out from always thinking about other  people's  emotions .Doctors who are more attuned to the psychological needs of their patients parents are less likely to experience burn-out. 

ANATOMY OF EMPATHY:

    Functional MRI research indicates that an area in the brain known as the inferior frontal gyres play a critical role in the experience of empathy.

MY UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER WITH EMPATHY:

During our clinical postings in medical college, as students few of us had to examine patients in severe pain and some with terminal illness to learn and diagnose  their medical condition. Repeated examination can produce severe pain to the patient .Sometimes they may have to be kept at unusual postures to be examined, leading to psychological trauma. When my turn came to examine them, I always stayed away. To improve my clinical skill, I never wanted them to go through stress and pain . By becoming too emotionally involved with the patient, you lose your objectives; by not becoming involved enough, you may be unable to relate as a human being. This is a difficult balancing act.

I have been practicing ophthalmology for the last 33 years. Even to this day, when someone approaches for help, I go out of my way to do best. I work beyond scheduled time; sacrificing meals and family time only with the intention of seeing my patients feel better. I wish I had more time to spend with my children and family. I wish I could take a vacation. I wish I had time for my hobbies .This is the second place where empathy hurts as a physician. If robs you of your time!

CONCLUSION:

         The best part of being a doctor is going to work and making a difference every day. If is highly rewarding to see patients enter your chambers with a smile on their face and gratitude in their manners and words.Every patient wants to be treated as a person, not as an illness and wants to be reassured that the doctor understands the nonmedical aspects of his or her condition.

There is no question when empathy in Medicare is a core value; good things happen. We see happier and more productive doctors. If leads to significantly better patient outcomes and higher rates of patient compliance, saving you money in the long run and often helps drive growth. Empathy is a choice, but for doctors, if should be the easiest decision you make.