Keywords

benefits of empathy, common humanity, patient-provider communication, patient satisfaction, self-compassion

Abstract

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) increasingly feel pressure to diagnose and treat patients in shorter timeframes. Simultaneously patients’ satisfaction with care impacts reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. Improving empathetic skills can encourage patients to openly communicate leading to more accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment, which improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Empathetic providers find work more satisfying and experience less depression and increased quality of life. This article presents the benefits of empathy to patients and NPs and offers guidance for incorporating empathy into practice. By implementing the behaviors discussed herein, NPs can develop practical skills that benefit both patient and provider.