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Boost Your Empathy: The Key to Better Therapy Practices

Boost Your Empathy: The Key to Better Therapy Practices

Introduction

Empathy is a cornerstone of effective patient-centered care, especially for those in the healthcare profession. It enhances communication, builds trust, and improves patient outcomes. A recent study titled Civic-Mindedness Sustains Empathy in a Cohort of Physical Therapy Students: A Pilot Cohort Study explores the relationship between empathy and civic-mindedness in physical therapy students, providing valuable insights for practitioners looking to enhance their skills.

The Study: Civic-Mindedness and Empathy

Conducted by researchers at Widener University, this study examined 48 physical therapy students over a three-year service-learning intensive curriculum. The researchers aimed to explore potential relationships between civic-mindedness and empathy, using the Jefferson Scale for Empathy–Health Professions Student Version (JSE-HPS) and the Civic-Minded Professional Scale (CMP).

Interestingly, while the study found no significant differences in empathy scores over time, it did reveal that civic-mindedness scores increased. This suggests that civic-mindedness, fostered through consistent service-learning, may support or even enhance empathy among healthcare students.

Practical Applications for Practitioners

For practitioners, the study's findings offer several practical applications:

Encouraging Further Research

The study also highlights areas for further research, such as exploring the relationship between civic-mindedness, empathy, and compassion fatigue. Understanding these relationships can help develop strategies to prevent burnout and promote well-being among healthcare providers.

Conclusion

Empathy is not just an innate trait but a skill that can be nurtured and developed through intentional practices like service-learning and reflection. By fostering civic-mindedness, practitioners can enhance their empathy, leading to improved patient care and professional satisfaction.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Civic-Mindedness Sustains Empathy in a Cohort of Physical Therapy Students: A Pilot Cohort Study.


Citation: Palombaro, K. M., Black, J. D., Dole, R. L., Jones, S. A., & Stewart, A. R. (2019). Civic-mindedness sustains empathy in a cohort of physical therapy students: A pilot cohort study. Journal of Patient Experience. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373519837246
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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