Our culture needs more empathy and people to seek compassion for others. It is a soft skill that is the backbone of healthcare work. If you cannot care about people, this is not your job. How can you maintain it? Our world can drain people from compassion for one another, and the pandemic tested their patience for others. Here are ways for healthcare workers to be empathetic.
Listening
Hearing what people are saying is essential. Reflect on their words, and do not react to your feelings or opinions. Emotions are valid, but uncontrollable expressions are not healthy or productive. Empathy is not all empathic behavior when you give someone your complete attention at work, are interested in their lives and struggles, and deliver positive and constructive feedback. A place to start would be to listen to patients when they have struggles and pain.
Maintain Eye Contact
Providing people dignity through eye contact is a simple gesture with an enormous impact. One of the things I make is eye contact with people in my neighborhood, including the homeless population. It gives people a value of self-worth and is something healthcare professionals should provide for patients. This approach is used when providing guidance or delivering news concerning a diagnosis or negative information. It allows for a more personal relationship between yourself and your patient, and you can analyze a patient's response to your words.
Ask Questions
Open dialogue with asking questions can be helpful. It seeks feedback from the person in need. Avoid making assumptions that can be off base and reflect your narrow perspective. Another important way to be empathetic is to ask your patients in-depth questions. Ask those their family members and patient advocates those identical questions. Their responses often enhance your comprehension of diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients.
Share Your Experience
To be more empathetic, try paying attention to others' verbal and non-verbal signals, read various books, or watch movies/documentaries to understand a distinct perspective that is not your own. Avoid advising unless you are asked. It might be good to encourage a patient with a story about a different patient who overcame the odds with a story about another patient or even someone you know who overcame the odds.
Be Supportive
A support system helps those in need or going through an issue. People in our lives help with confronting emotions or helping with performing tasks, running errands, or providing a meal. Sometimes being there or doing something for someone in need can go a long way. Knowing someone has your back is priceless. Healthcare professionals are a great support.
At WSi, we look for healthcare professionals with soft skills like empathy. If this is you, don't hesitate to contact us today.