Evidence

Cutting-edge research in the neurobiology and physiology of empathy led to the development of our evidence-based education program called E.M.P.A.T.H.Y.®  The program has been rigorously tested in a randomized controlled trial at Massachusetts General Hospital. The education resulted in significantly improved patient-related physician empathy, which in turn increased patient satisfaction scores (Riess et al, 2012). This clinical study demonstrated that empathic skills can be learned and enhanced.

• April 6, 2016 – Medscape Addiction, Empathy, and Opioid Alternatives
• August 3, 2015 – AJOB Neuroscience The Impact of Clinical Empathy on Patients and Clinicians: Understanding Empathy’s Side Affects?
• April 9, 2014, Massachusetts General Hospital Study confirms impact of clinician-patient relationship on health outcomes: Press Release
• April 9, 2014, PLOS-ONE (Public Library Of Science) The Influence of the Patient-Clinician Relationship on Healthcare Outcomes, Research paper by John M. Kelley, Gordon Kraft-Todd, Lidia Schapira, Joe Kossowsky, and Helen Riess
• Journal of General Internal Medicine: Empathy Training for Resident Physicians

The Empathetics programs have been presented to more than 1000 clinicians, front line staff as well as claims managers. Once learned, the skills can easily be incorporated into daily routines, improving all interpersonal communications. Participants at hospitals, medical clinics and malpractice insurance companies are benefiting from Empathetics education.

For more detailed information about the Empathetics experience, please click on the Empathetics roadmap to learn how to develop a culture of empathy at your institution.