Léonore Robieux1, Lucille Karsenti2, Marc Pocard3, Cécile Flahault4. 1. Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology (LPPS), Psychology Institute of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbone Paris Cité, 71 avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; Laboratory of Individual-Workplace(LATI), Psychology Institute of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbone Paris Cité, 71 avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; Digestive and Oncology Surgery unit, Lariboisière Hospital, Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris, 2 rue Ambroise Paré, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France. Electronic address: leo.robieux@gmail.com. 2. Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology (LPPS), Psychology Institute of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbone Paris Cité, 71 avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France. 3. Digestive and Oncology Surgery unit, Lariboisière Hospital, Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris, 2 rue Ambroise Paré, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France; INSERM U965, Carcinomatosis Angiogenesis and Translational Research (CART), Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France. 4. Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Psychology (LPPS), Psychology Institute of Paris-Descartes University, Sorbone Paris Cité, 71 avenue Edouard Vaillant, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France; Psycho-oncology unit, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris cedex 05, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research faces a challenge to find a shared, adequate and scientific definition of empathy. OBJECTIVE: Our work aimed to analyze what clinical empathy is in the specific context of cancer care and to identify the effect of empathy in it. METHOD: This study gives voice to physicians with extensive experience in cancer care. This original research combines qualitative data collection and quantitative data analysis. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 25 physicians. The content of the interviews was analyzed according to the Content Analysis Technique. RESULTS: Empathy is described according to six dimensions that give a strong role to interpersonal and cognitive skills. This description integrates previous and various conceptualizations of clinical empathy. Physicians detail the beneficial effects of clinical empathy on patients' outcomes and well-being as well as physicians' practices. Physician interviews also revealed the relationship between empathic concerns and physicians' emotional difficulties. CONCLUSION: Empathy in cancer care is a complex process and a multicomponent competence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This operational description of clinical empathy has three main implications: to draw up a training program for physicians, to detail recommendations for physicians' work-related quality of life and to develop new tools to measure empathy.
BACKGROUND: Research faces a challenge to find a shared, adequate and scientific definition of empathy. OBJECTIVE: Our work aimed to analyze what clinical empathy is in the specific context of cancer care and to identify the effect of empathy in it. METHOD: This study gives voice to physicians with extensive experience in cancer care. This original research combines qualitative data collection and quantitative data analysis. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 25 physicians. The content of the interviews was analyzed according to the Content Analysis Technique. RESULTS: Empathy is described according to six dimensions that give a strong role to interpersonal and cognitive skills. This description integrates previous and various conceptualizations of clinical empathy. Physicians detail the beneficial effects of clinical empathy on patients' outcomes and well-being as well as physicians' practices. Physician interviews also revealed the relationship between empathic concerns and physicians' emotional difficulties. CONCLUSION:Empathy in cancer care is a complex process and a multicomponent competence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This operational description of clinical empathy has three main implications: to draw up a training program for physicians, to detail recommendations for physicians' work-related quality of life and to develop new tools to measure empathy.