Empathy Is Important In Health And Social Care

Empathy is the ability to experience and relate to the thoughts, emotions or the experience of others. It can simply be defined as well as the ability to step into someone else’s shoes, be aware of their feelings and understand their needs. It is more than simple sympathy, which is being able to understand and support others with compassion or sensitivity. Nobody cares how much you know until they see how much you care. Empathy requires mainly three things, which are Listening, Openness and Understanding. By understanding my patients, we develop closer relationships because this will enable me to accept their emotion. I will as well show genuine interest and concern for their feelings. Most patients, especially the elderly, are just seeking someone who understands. When you show them love and care so much even while on their sick beds, that can as well hasten their getting better. They feel safe in a better hand, so patients do reject some nurses not to attend to them. They always want nurses they can trust with their health. So as a nurse, I need to appreciate and understand how they as this will also help me relate better with them and build their confidence in …show more content…
Always make an eye contact, listen without interrupting, and be able to paraphrase or reiterate what you have heard by acknowledgement and if necessary ask questions. You also need to show some emotions like using facial expressions to let them know you understand what they are going through, a sympathetic or sincere smile often works wonders. It is also okay to show sadness through your tears or crying. Laugh without reservations, a good laugh can be incredibly healing. A gentle touch goes a long way too. Gentle touch assists in balancing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. A soft touch/rub to the hand or shoulder throughout the conversation ensures that you have genuine care and concern for