This recent study conducted by professor St\u00e9phanie Cormier\u2019s pain and health laboratory of Universit\u00e9 du Qu\u00e9bec en Outaouais, examined the association between the perceived physician empathy and the psychological distress reported by people living with persistent pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study was conducted included a community sample of 259 adults reporting living with persistent pain and who were under the care of a physician. Each participant was asked to complete an online questionnaire collecting demographic information, perceived level of empathy from their treating physician, treatment satisfaction as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results indicate that the majority of patients perceive their treating physicians as having a good or very good empathy towards them. Consistent with the literature, those who perceived less physician empathy also reported more symptoms of depression. Evidence also demonstrated that treatment satisfaction contributed to explain the relationship between perceived physician empathy and the symptoms of depression and anxiety reported by this population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aligned with the patient-centered care, this study helps to reinforce the value of addressing persistent pain in a holistic approach. Empathetic communication, especially when it is consistent with patient\u2019s needs positively influences their experience of their medical condition and can therefore contribute to effective management of persistent pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n