Empathy in Healthcare: Key to Effective Chronic Pain Management
The DO
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
Physician empathy is essential in chronic pain management, as illustrated by a case study where a patient's frustration over tapering long-term opioid therapy underscores the need for effective communication and collaborative decision-making. The CDC's updated opioid prescribing guidelines emphasize the importance of empathy in enhancing patient-centered care. Research has shown that empathetic physicians contribute to higher patient satisfaction and better health outcomes, including reduced pain and improved quality of life. However, empathy often declines during medical training due to the pressures of education, highlighting the need for strategies to integrate empathic practices into healthcare training for better patient care.
