A systematic review of research on empathy in health care.

Nembhard, I. M., et al. (2023).

Health services research, 58(2), 250–263.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.14016

Abstract

Objective

To summarize the predictors and outcomes of empathy by health care personnel, methods used to study their empathy, and the effectiveness of interventions targeting their empathy, in order to advance understanding of the role of empathy in health care and facilitate additional research aimed at increasing positive patient care experiences and outcomes.

Data Source

We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE In‐Process, PsycInfo, and Business Source Complete to identify empirical studies of empathy involving health care personnel in English‐language publications up until April 20, 2021, covering the first five decades of research on empathy in health care (1971–2021).

Study Design

We performed a systematic review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Title and abstract screening for study eligibility was followed by full‐text screening of relevant citations to extract study information (e.g., study design, sample size, empathy measure used, empathy assessor, intervention type if applicable, other variables evaluated, results, and significance). We classified study predictors and outcomes into categories, calculated descriptive statistics, and produced tables to summarize findings.

Principal Findings

Of the 2270 articles screened, 455 reporting on 470 analyses satisfied the inclusion criteria. We found that most studies have been survey‐based, cross‐sectional examinations; greater empathy is associated with better clinical outcomes and patient care experiences; and empathy predictors are many and fall into five categories (provider demographics, provider characteristics, provider behavior during interactions, target characteristics, and organizational context). Of the 128 intervention studies, 103 (80%) found a positive and significant effect. With four exceptions, interventions were educational programs focused on individual clinicians or trainees. No organizational‐level interventions (e.g., empathy‐specific processes or roles) were identified.

Conclusions

Empirical research provides evidence of the importance of empathy to health care outcomes and identifies multiple changeable predictors of empathy. Training can improve individuals' empathy; organizational‐level interventions for systematic improvement are lacking.

A pdf is here.

Here are some thoughts:

The systematic review explores the significance of empathy in health care, analyzing its predictors, outcomes, and interventions to enhance it among health care professionals. The review, which spans 455 studies from 1971 to 2021, reveals that empathy is predominantly studied through cross-sectional, survey-based methods, with a focus on physicians, medical students, and nurses. Empathy is positively linked to better clinical outcomes, patient experiences, and provider performance, including improved adherence to treatment plans and reduced burnout. Key predictors of empathy include provider demographics, characteristics like personality traits and well-being, and behaviors such as communication skills. Educational interventions, particularly training programs and workshops, have proven effective in boosting empathy levels, though organizational-level interventions remain underexplored.

Generosity without borders: The interactive effect of spatial distance and donation goals on charitable giving

A. Jing Xu, M. A. Rodas, C. J. Torelli
Organizational Behavior and 
Human Decision Processes
Volume 161, November 2020, Pages 65-78

Abstract

Although past research suggests that people are more likely to donate money to nearby causes to maximize their positive impact on others’ lives, donations to foreign causes are growing rapidly. Incorporating both other-focused impact goals and self-focused moral goals into our conceptualization, we propose that an interplay between the accessibility of impact/moral goals and the spatial distance between donors and recipients of charitable causes (e.g., faraway vs. nearby recipients) influences charitable behaviors (e.g., donation amounts and charitable choices). Specifically, when the goal to maintain a moral self-concept (impact recipients’ lives) is accessible, donors experience a more expansive conception of their moral circle (apply the “closeness-equals-impact” heuristic) and donate more money to faraway (nearby) causes. We further demonstrate that moral (impact) goals are more abstract (concrete) motivations, and their effects also emerge when priming an abstract (concrete) mindset. Five studies support these predictions while ruling out alternative interpretations.

Highlights

• The goal to maintain a moral self-concept leads to higher donations to faraway causes.

• This effect is mediated by perceived expansion of one’s circle of moral regard.

• The goal to impact recipients’ lives leads to higher donations to nearby causes.

• Moral goals are abstract and can be activated by an abstract mindset.

• Impact goals are concrete and can be activated by a concrete mindset.

• Self-importance of moral identity moderates the effect of spatial distance on donations.

The research is here.