Hawking Identifies Empathy as Key to Civilization's Survival

See this AOL feature on Stephen Hawking's views about the importance of empathy as an antidote to aggression and a key to civilization's survival. Clearly, Hawking's brilliance extends beyond "hard science". Thanks to Vaughn Keller for sharing this piece on Facebook.

Danielle Ofri's Reflections on Fear Triggered by Illness

Danielle Ofri's recent column on Slate, the online magazine, addresses the topic of fear that results from uncertainty and the risks associated with medical illnesses and procedures, even minor ones. Danielle shares the distress and acute fear she experienced as a mom when her young son required minor ear surgery. Even though, as a physician, she understood that the risk of the procedure was low, she nonetheless imagined the worst and became gripped with raw fear that  didn't abate till her son was fully recovered from his surgery.

Dr. Ofri's distress during that minor ordeal increased her awareness of the needs of her patients and their family for her  support, empathy and compassion during episodes of illness, especially when tough medical decisions need to be made. As Danielle points out, the process of shared decision making requires more than information sharing and collaboration. It also requires eliciting and responding to the emotions that are aroused by uncertainnty and risk. As she she beautifully writes, 

"When I sit with a patient now, deciding on a treatment, I still lay out the risks and benefits as systematically as I can. But then I take a moment to acknowledge the raw fear that cannot be assuaged by even the most convincing clinical data. This conversation can’t eliminate the necessary leap of faith. But at least there is some recognition of the stomach-plummeting sensation that occurs" when a decision has to be made.

Thank, Danielle for your enlightening column! I also highly recommend Dr. Ofri's well written memoirs, including her latest book, What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine .

The Value of Teaching Empathy

See this thought provoking article from Forbes, Teaching Empathy: The Ancient Way is Now Cutting Edge,  on the importance of teaching empathy and emotional intelligence skills.Though the focus in on teaching children, the points made in this article apply to any educational setting.

Watch this Wonderful Video: "Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care"

Empathy is an essential element of quality health care. This video (Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care) simply, and beautifully, illustrates the value of seeking to understand others' experience. Listening, noticing, exploring and responding helps us to build healing connections with patients, family members and  caregivers. Empathy also helps those of us who are privileged to work in health care settings to know and support each other.

The video was published on YouTube on February 27, 2013 with the following information:

Patient care is more than just healing -- it's building a connection that encompasses mind, body and soul.

If you could stand in someone else's shoes . . . hear what they hear. See what they see. Feel what they feel. Would you treat them differently?

CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD, shared this video, titled "Empathy," with the Cleveland Clinic staff during his 2012 State of the Clinic address on Feb. 27, 2013.

 

Too much talking | QReview

Follow this link Too much talking | QReview to a blog post about the importance of  eliciting understanding, concerns and beliefs and listening, rather than just telling.

The author, Dr. Susan Shaw, is Chair, Health Quality Council and Department Head, Adult Critical Care, for the Saskatoon Health Region in Canada.

The post originally appeared on Q Review, a blog published by theThe Health Quality Council (HQC). HQC is an independent agency that measures and reports on quality of care in Saskatchewan, promotes improvement, and engages its partners in building a better health system.