Last update:
   29-Sep-2020
 

Arch Hellen Med, 37(5), September-October 2020, 625-630

REVIEW

The role of empathy in the interaction of patients with doctors and other health professionals

M. Andriopoulou,1 A. Manos,2 D. Dalamaga,3 D. Charos3
1Operating Room, "Konstantopouleio" General Hospital of Nea Ionia, Athens,
2Department of Social Policy, Panteion University, Athens,
3Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

Empathy is an important communication skill for healthcare professionals. Creating a climate of trust between physicians and patients is vital. This is a review of the role of empathy and the other communication skills of health professionals, aimed at examining how empathy affects both the physician-patient relationship and the therapeutic outcome. The empathy of doctors and other health professionals is of utmost importance in problem solving, effective communication, and avoiding or preventing conflicts in the health care setting.

Key words: Doctor-patient communication, Doctor-patient relationship, Empathy, Interaction patient-health professional.

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