Tuesday 25 March 2014

The art and science of empathy

European Journal of Palliative Care, March-April 2014, Vol/iss 21/2 (69-71)
Viv Lucas

Empathy is a desirable trait for palliative care professionals to have. But is it innate or can it be taught? Following a review of the literature, Viv Lucas argues it can be both. She concludes that it is an innate capability that can be developed through teaching, training, experience, the arts and literature, and is particularly important in palliative care professionals who, through empathic therapeutic relationships, can help incurable patients to heal. 

Available in print at Arthur Rank House, Brookfields Hospital