I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I will tell you that health care professionals (and future health care professionals) have been greatly impacted by my story and are inspired to try my suggestions–and it worked! They end up with some great strategies to improve their patient engagement skills.
As a patient, I’ve experienced it all–intubation, tracheostomy, feeding tubes, and, of course, needles, needles, needles! Although my surgery and 9-month hospitalization was over 18 years ago, I remember exactly how it felt to endure an invasive, painful procedure, even though it was done to ultimately help me. I understand how scared, alone and helpless a patient feels when a stranger enters their room to stick a tube up their nose.
Empathy plays a crucial role in improving patient engagement by fostering trust, enhancing communication, and encouraging active participation in healthcare decisions. Here’s how:
- Builds Trust and Rapport– When healthcare providers show empathy, patients feel understood and valued. This trust makes them more likely to follow medical advice and stay engaged in their care.
- Enhances Communication– Empathetic interactions encourage open and honest dialogue, making it easier for patients to express concerns, ask questions, and understand their treatment options.
- Reduces Anxiety and Fear– Patients often feel vulnerable in medical settings. Empathy helps alleviate stress, making them more comfortable and willing to engage in discussions about their health.
- Encourages Shared Decision-Making– When patients feel heard and respected, they become more active participants in their care, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and improved health outcomes.
- Improves Patient Satisfaction– A compassionate approach leads to higher satisfaction, which can strengthen the patient-provider relationship and increase loyalty to a healthcare practice.
- Boosts Treatment Adherence– Patients who feel emotionally supported are more likely to follow prescribed treatments, attend follow-up appointments, and make necessary lifestyle changes.
- Leads to Better Health Outcomes– Studies show that empathy in healthcare is linked to improved patient recovery rates, lower hospital readmissions, and overall better well-being.
By making empathy a core component of patient care, healthcare providers can create a more engaging, supportive, and effective healthcare experience.
I would be honored to share my story with your students, and offer practical tips on connecting to a frightened patient in an instant. A workshop can be for an individual class through my non-profit, Lifetime of Impact, or for a larger group through Impact of Empathy.
Please contact me to discuss any of this further.
