Cultivating Empathy in Medical Education: Unlocking the Heart of Compassionate Care

Abstract

In the context of medical education, empathy goes way beyond the delivery of effective patient care as it also remains one of the core competencies that medical students must cultivate during the course of their undergraduate training. The findings of different studies have reported a gradual decline in empathy among medical students during the course of their undergraduate training. A number of challenges and barriers have been identified in the development of empathy in medical education, which together can hinder the process of delivery of empathetic healthcare. In order to address these identified challenges, we will require collaborative efforts from administrators and teachers to enable the creation of a supportive environment, wherein empathy development is prioritized. In conclusion, the incorporation of empathy into medical practice has been linked with multiple benefits to patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare delivery system. However, considering the fact that a number of factors influence the development of empathy among medical students, it is the need of the hour to implement strategies to nurture empathy during medical education, which will enable the delivery of patient-centered care and the formation of strong doctor-patient relationships.