What Is Clinical Empathy in Anesthesiology? Perspectives From Practicing Anesthesiologists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Experience
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Empathic provider behaviors are crucial for training and patient outcomes.
• Previous research on physician empathy has excluded anesthesiologists.
• Anesthesiologists' interactions, especially preoperatively, can significantly impact patient anxiety and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate anesthesiologists' conceptualizations of empathic behaviors.
• To compare anesthesiologists' views with those of other physician specialties.

Main Methods:

• 99 practicing anesthesiologists recruited online.
• Participants rated 49 physician behaviors on a 0-10 scale for empathy alignment.
• Data analyzed to identify components of empathic behaviors.

Main Results:

• Three components emerged: Conscientious and Reassuring, Relationship Oriented, and Emotionally Involved.
• Anesthesiologists prioritized Relationship-Oriented behaviors and de-emphasized Conscientious and Reassuring ones.
• Women anesthesiologists favored Emotionally Involved behaviors more than men, who favored Conscientious and Reassuring behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Anesthesiologists' views on empathy align with other physician specialties despite their unique patient interactions.
• Findings can inform communication strategies in medical education.
• Understanding anesthesiologists' empathy conceptualizations can enhance relational approaches in patient care.