How can you balance empathy and objectivity in clinical practice?

It is vital that we never lose sight that our patients are human beings. My Father always said, "If you treat your patients like family you will never go wrong." His patients loved him. Our patients should receive the very best clinical care we can provide with love and compassion. With this approach we will always do our best clinically for each patient. When preparing to meet with a patient and/or family it is important that I have reviewed their records and family history. I am always interviewing both patient and family. Read the room and the atmosphere to determine if there is warmth and compassion or cold insensitive dynamics.

Early in my career, a senior consultant told me something that has stuck with me ever since. He said, "In every clinical encounter, before you do anything else, take a moment to ask yourself: What is the essence of this moment? What do I aim to achieve?" This simple advice has helped me to approach patient care with more intention and purpose. It's not just about ticking off boxes on a checklist. It's about connecting with the patient on a human level and understanding their needs. As a psychiatrist, I know that this is essential for providing effective care. I believe that becoming a thoughtful and compassionate physician starts with taking the time to understand a patient's needs and goals.

In my experience, reading the room will be of great benefit in guiding the dialogue. Inquire what matters most to the patient, understanding what it is they want to pursue in treatment and even more importantly what they do not. It’s helpful to have an ice breaker that sets the tone of ease and empathy. Some patients may prefer the robotic line of questioning and checking the boxes where others won’t. Determining this in the first few minutes is of great importance. As well as ensuring I am present. Provider presence in my opinion is the Greatest contributor to the encounter overall.

In my experience working with physicians and other clinical professionals (“providers”), I have learned that both providers, patients, and patient families require a balance of empathy and objectivity to achieve successful outcomes. I work with providers to address compliance, quality, and legal risk, which almost always involves an event with a patient. Similar to addressing a sensitive situation with a patient, a provider should be approached with empathy and compassion while incorporating objective data to achieve the best possible response. Providers, patients, and patient families are typically in high-stress situations together and attempting to communicate and take action under pressure so a lack of empathy can cloud objective data.

I think having empathy for your patients and demonstrating it is key. Without empathy there can be no real doctor- patient relationship.I don't see empathy as being at odds with maintaining clinical objectivity. For example,obtaining a meaningful history is an art. However without empathy, it is a non starter. Guidelines and clinical protocols provide context and guidance as tools in maintaining clinical objectivity. At the end of the day,after examining the patient what we all strive for is to arrive at a working diagnosis and then perform labs and imaging to either confirm the diagnosis or refute it. This stage cannot be easily reached if one is not empathetic to patients. I believe it to be foundational to the very practice of medicine.

During my residency, I met Pauline, a patient with a complex history of chronic illness and emotional trauma. She often felt misunderstood by medical professionals, which led to distrust and disengagement from her treatment. One day, I decided to employ the principles of active listening when I sat with her for a routine check-up. I maintained eye contact, listened to her words and body language, and asked open-ended questions to encourage her to express herself freely. This process transformed our doctor-patient relationship. I gained deeper insights into her condition, leading to a more comprehensive treatment plan. As they say, "Listen not with the intent to reply, but with the intent to understand."

Balancing empathy and objectivity in radiology involves maintaining professionalism for objective decision-making while empathizing with patients. It is vitally important to listen to patient concerns and alleviate them when possible to build trust. Listening to patient concerns and addressing them to the best of your ability is the key to building a successful relationship.

With good communication and understanding, disagreements can be turned into productive moments of growth. When you work towards finding a resolution during a conflict, your relationships have an opportunity to strengthen. Embrace these moments - they provide an amazing opportunity for connection!

Empathy is the most important tool in building trust amidst your patients and it also helps in nurturing your clinical practice. Objectivity and empathy both forms a beautiful blend which improves clinical acumen and practice

I met Ivor early in my career, he was withdrawn and isolated, and had lost interest in activities he used to enjoy. I wanted to provide him with the best possible care, so I turned to evidence-based tools. One of the first things I did was administer a well-established screening tool for depression. This allowed me to objectively assess Ivor's symptoms and track his progress over time. I also used clinical guidelines and risk calculators to help me tailor his treatment. However, I knew that it was important to go beyond the data. I also wanted to understand Ivor's unique experiences and feelings. I spent time listening to him and asking questions. I wanted him to feel heard and understood.

During the consultation, I try to listen actively to the patient. Observing not just their words, but also their body language, tone, and emotions without losing sight of the objective data is an essential form of feedback that is often missed.

I journal--every day, twice a day. If you have not made this a habit, please start today. For those afraid of staring at a blank page, then a journal with writing prompts is what you need. For this, I have used The Five-Minute Journal. After seeing the tremendous growth and self-learning from journaling, I quickly transitioned to a Moleskin Journal and Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen. In my journal, I write about what I am grateful for and where I am on my path toward completing my goals. Some writing prompts that I use are: What are some obstacles that I have encountered today--real or perceived? How am I breaking through these obstacles? What is preventing me from achieving my goals?

After the consultation, I reflect critically on the interaction. I assess where I was empathic and where I maintained objectivity. I make note of moments where a balance was achieved or could have been improved. This is my attempt to identify specific instances for improvement and acknowledge where I succeeded in balancing empathy and objectivity.

During my residency, I was constantly exhausted and stressed, and I started to feel like I was losing myself. That's when an experienced colleague shared this wisdom with me: "A well that is not replenished cannot quench the thirst of others." These words really resonated with me. I realized that, just like our patients, we are also susceptible to the consequences of stress and burnout. If we want to be effective physicians and caretakers, we need to take care of ourselves. Practicing self-care is not selfish. It's essential for our own well-being and for the well-being of our patients. When we take care of ourselves, we are better able to show up for our patients with compassion, empathy, and presence.

As a doctor, it’s important to take the time for yourself and practice self-care. Not only will it make you healthier, but it also can bring benefits to those you serve. Self-care means having more energy and being more focused while working with patients, improving the quality of your work. It also means you will be better equipped to handle unexpected situations calmly and effectively. Not taking care of yourself can lead to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion, which can impact your personal relationships and professional performance - and we want to avoid all that! So take some time daily to rest, unwind, and relax - everyone needs it now and then!

I experienced a perfect example of this today. I am not a clinician. I had two MOHS surgeries today. My dermatologist sensed I was having some problems not related to the surgery. She gently probed, but clearly concerned. She did her clinical work superbly, but really tried to be empathetic and offered various levels of support. She treated both issues with concern and clinical objectivity. I was really pleased. Great to come home and find this post. Key was she listened, questioned and offered help. Took some extra time, but I was thankful for here concern and effort! Positive lesson!

Empathy is not in conflict with objectivity, the two are needed for effective medical practice and for patients to feel heard and valued. Most physicians don't have a problem with objectivity, but some physicians do have trouble developing empathy. Without adequate empathy, patients can feel that the physician does not care, does not understand, or does not value their experience. Developing empathy is an important skill that physicians need to cultivate for better patient care.

As they say, "The mind is like an iceberg; it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water." What we see on the surface is only a fraction of what's really going on. To truly understand and help someone, we need to be both empathetic and objective. We need to see the world through their eyes, but we also need to be able to step back and assess the situation rationally.

We have accepted the challenge to “improve lives”, that process frequently is an on going process. Sincerely listening with an empathetic attitude is the most effective way to begin this journey. As conversations and clinical approaches go forward- open honest dialogue will accomplish the goal. Best lesson: listen first- talk second.

Recognize and acknowledge your own thoughts and feelings, to promote decision-making that’s evidence-based and separates personal feelings from clinical judgment. While empathy involves understanding patient feelings, it should not influence objectivity in clinical decisions. Communicating clearly and factually to patients about their conditions shows respect for their autonomy. Discussing and factoring in patients’ needs and preferences shows your empathy for their unique life situations. You might also consider empathy training to help you learn to balance empathy and objectivity effectively; this can include role-playing and communication skills training.