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Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines optimisation

  • Barry Jubraj
    ,
  • Nina L. Barnett
    ,
  • Lesley Grimes
    ,
  • Sneha Varia
    ,
  • Angel Chater
    ,
  • Vivian Auyeung
  • King's College London
    ,
  • Northwick Park Hospital
    ,
  • University of Manchester
    ,
  • London Pharmacy Education and Training
    ,
  • University College London
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Objectives To critically discuss the need for pharmacists to underpin their consultations with appropriate ‘clinical empathy’ as part of effective medicines optimisation. Methods Use of literature around empathy, consultation and pharmacy practice to develop a case for greater clinical empathy in pharmacy consultations. Key findings Clinical empathy is defined from the literature and applied to pharmacy consultations, with a comparison to empathy in other clinical professions. Historical barriers to the embedding of clinical empathy into pharmacy consultations are also explored. Conclusions We challenge the pharmacy profession to consider how clinical empathy should underpin consultations with a series of introspective questions and provide some sample questions to support pharmacy consultations. We also make the case for appropriate education and professional development of consultation skills at undergraduate and postgraduate level. We contend that patients’ relationships with practitioners are critical, and a lack of empathy can impact the effectiveness of care.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 367-370

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (Volume 24, Issue 5)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 21/04/2016

Publication status

Published - 21/04/2016

ISSN

0961-7671

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/622309
  • Scopus: 84987722744

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