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Fostering empathy in neurology training

Nature Clinical Practice Neurology volume 2, pages 574–575 (2006)Cite this article

How we relate to patients is well known to have an impact on patient satisfaction, adherence, and outcomes.1 In light of this fact, it is disturbing to learn that the process of becoming a physician diminishes empathy—the very trait that allows us to effectively relate to patients, and often leads a student to medicine in the first place.2

Empathy is defined in The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary3 as “Identification with, understanding of, and vicarious experience of another person's situation, feelings, and motives.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences,

    Lara J Cooke

  2. the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Lara J Cooke

Authors
  1. Lara J Cooke
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Correspondence to Lara J Cooke.

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Cite this article

Cooke, L. Fostering empathy in neurology training. Nat Rev Neurol 2, 574–575 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0302

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0302

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