Choosing Empathy Over Sympathy: Building True Patient Connection

Sympathy and pity may seem kind, but they often come across as judgment, creating disconnection between you and your patients. This distance can lead to miscommunications, misunderstandings, and even board complaints or malpractice suits. The key to building real rapport is empathy and compassion. This insightful cartoon illustrates the difference between sympathy and empathy in a memorable way, showing you how to strengthen your empathy skills. For a career spent connecting with patients from all backgrounds, empathy will take you further than sympathy ever could.

This video by Brene Brown explains the difference between Sympathy and Empathy.