Detailed Discussion 2. Using the Concept of Empathy and Education to Foster "Empathy" in Health Care Professional Education
10.11307/mededjapan.55.4_309
- VernacularTitle:各論2. 医療系教育機関・医療機関における様々な実践～「共感」とは～
- Author:
Mariko MORISHITA
1
;
Rieko FUJIE
2
Author Information
1. Department of patient safety, Kyoto University Hospital
2. Center for Medical Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University
- Keywords:
concept of empathy;
empathy training;
non-cognitive abilities;
health professional education
- From:Medical Education
2024;55(4):309-317
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Education aimed at nurturing “non-cognitive abilities” that are not measured as academic skills has been garnering attention because these abilities can contribute to academic performance and life success. Empathy, one of these “non-cognitive abilities,” has been conceptualized in different ways in education, psychology and health care professional education. Therefore, this article provides an overview of the topic by combining its status as a “non-cognitive ability” with its role in health care professional education. This paper also reviews educational practices implemented to foster empathy. First, we attempt to clarify the characteristics of empathy within the focus of different contexts. Through this, we introduce the concept of empathy in health care professional education as similar to that of psychology, in that it can be divided into two elements: cognitive and emotional. Second, regarding the elements of empathy, we review examples of educational programs that have been implemented to foster empathy among students in health care professional education, comparing them to their general education counterparts. Thus, we broaden the scope of empathy to include psychological attributes and skills, as well as empathetic environments and situations in which students and health care professionals find it difficult to empathize with others. Thus, this article can be used as a guide for overviewing the concept of empathy and developing education on empathy in health care professional education.
