Tracey Parkin1, Anne de Looy2, Paul Farrand3. 1. School of Health Professions, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK. Electronic address: tracey.parkin@plymouth.ac.uk. 2. School of Health Professions, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK. 3. Mood Disorders Centre, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between professional expression of empathy and agreement about decisions made in the consultation. METHODS: Consultations between 86 individuals with diabetes and four dieticians were audio-recorded. Immediately following consultations patients and dieticians independently reported decisions made in a booklet. Audio-recordings were coded directly for empathy using an amended version of the empathic communication coding system (ECCS). RESULTS: Empathy correlated significantly with patient and professional agreement about decisions made in the consultation (τ=.283, p=.0005). Multiple regression analysis indicates that for each dietician the greater the empathy the higher the level of agreement about decisions (p<.0005). Professional empathic response to patients statements of challenge was a significant factor in increasing agreement about decisions (p=.008). CONCLUSION: Results support the hypothesis that greater professional empathy will result in greater agreement about decisions made in consultations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings have implications for empathy training and provide guidance on the communication skills needed to support expression of empathy. Patient and professional agreement about decisions made provides a simple marker of effectiveness and highlights the importance of empathy as a seminal component of professional communication skills during a patient consultation.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between professional expression of empathy and agreement about decisions made in the consultation. METHODS: Consultations between 86 individuals with diabetes and four dieticians were audio-recorded. Immediately following consultations patients and dieticians independently reported decisions made in a booklet. Audio-recordings were coded directly for empathy using an amended version of the empathic communication coding system (ECCS). RESULTS: Empathy correlated significantly with patient and professional agreement about decisions made in the consultation (τ=.283, p=.0005). Multiple regression analysis indicates that for each dietician the greater the empathy the higher the level of agreement about decisions (p<.0005). Professional empathic response to patients statements of challenge was a significant factor in increasing agreement about decisions (p=.008). CONCLUSION: Results support the hypothesis that greater professional empathy will result in greater agreement about decisions made in consultations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings have implications for empathy training and provide guidance on the communication skills needed to support expression of empathy. Patient and professional agreement about decisions made provides a simple marker of effectiveness and highlights the importance of empathy as a seminal component of professional communication skills during a patient consultation.
Authors: Carma L Bylund; Greenberry Taylor; Emily Mroz; Diana J Wilkie; Yingwei Yao; Linda Emanuel; George Fitchett; George Handzo; Harvey Max Chochinov; Susan Bluck Journal: Palliat Support Care Date: 2022-06