Correlation between Patient-Centered Care and Clinical Empathy

Abstract

Patient-Centered Care (PCC) and clinical empathy intertwine and share some premises. Studies on the correlations between clinical empathy and PCC still need to be available. This article aims to propose ways of approaching PCC and clinical empathy and contribute to the reflection on the correlation between both using their confluence axes to promote thinking about their relationship. The confluence axes proposed in this article are innovative and emerged from the specialized literature on the approaches. The confluence axes between clinical empathy and PCC are as follows: Empathetic Communication; Patient’s Needs, Will, and Preferences; Relational Equanimity; Biopsychosocial Model and Therapeutic Alliance. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for future research that scrutinizes the proposed thematic axes. This research is not just a call for further development in the field but a necessity as we strive to understand better and implement patient-centered care and clinical empathy in healthcare.