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The Emerging Issue of Digital Empathy.
Christopher Terry1, Jeff Cain1
1University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, Kentucky.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
|June 14, 2016
Summary
Empathy improves patient care and outcomes, but digital communication may hinder its expression. Integrating digital empathy into health professions education is crucial for maintaining high standards of care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Informatics
- Psychology
Background:
- Empathy positively impacts patient outcomes, satisfaction, and malpractice risk.
- Technological advancements and online disinhibition may reduce empathetic expression in healthcare.
- The digitization of healthcare raises concerns about declining empathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of digital communication on empathy in healthcare.
- To advocate for the consideration of digital empathy in health professions curricula.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on empathy, digital communication, and online disinhibition.
- Analysis of the potential effects of technology on patient-provider interactions.
Main Results:
- Digital communication can facilitate online disinhibition, potentially reducing empathetic expression.
- A decline in expressed empathy in digital healthcare settings is a growing concern.
Conclusions:
- Empathy is vital for positive health outcomes and is a core component of health professions.
- The concept of digital empathy should be integrated into health professions education to address modern communication challenges.
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