Throughout the years increasing technology has helped to improve the way that doctors perform their jobs. It has changed the way that they perform surgery, make diagnoses, and treat patients. Robots are becoming more common in the operating room as they assist with surgical procedures. There are even some robots that allow for remote communication between doctors and patients. However, even as technology advances and medicine changes, the human interaction between doctors and patients is still vital.
While doctors possess the scientific and medical knowledge to treat patients, they should also possess empathy. Valuing the humanistic aspect of treatment allows doctors to treat patients as a whole and focus on more than just their condition. While incoming medical students are often eager to care for others and support their needs, a study revealed that by the third year of medical school, their level of empathy has often declined. Increased exposure to clinical settings may play a role in this occurrence. That is why it is important to instill strong humanistic values in medical students and train them in providing empathy.
Many patients respond better to empathy. They want to feel a connection to their doctor and know that they have the person's best interests in mind. The article highlights a study that showed diabetic patients who were treated by empathetic doctors were more likely to have better control over their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Another study showed that when patients with colds were treated by doctors that had received special training in making direct eye contact, touching patients, and spending time with them, they recovered faster than those who were not.
It is not just medical schools that are taking note of the importance of empathy training either. It is affecting the medical field in general. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is undergoing revisions to more directly address the humanistic aspects of medicine. It aims to promote a more holistic approach to care. Students will have to answer more questions that are based in the behavioral sciences, social sciences, and humanities starting in 2015. Traditionally the test has focused mainly on the physical and biological sciences.
"Empathy is a skill that is valuable not only to medical professionals but to everyone," says a representative of AIMU. "It helps to build stronger connections and promote trust and understanding. For doctors, making the patient the primary focus of care is important. Ensuring that they are treated with compassion and sensitivity can benefit their overall health and well-being." AIMU prepares medical students to work with diverse populations and instills in them the knowledge, skills, and values that they need to become successful.
ABOUT:
AIMU is a premier Caribbean medical school located in Saint Lucia. The university offers comprehensive training for students wishing to pursue careers as physicians or nurses. It provides medical students with the unique opportunity to complete their clinical rotations in the United States. By the time they have completed their studies and training, they are eligible to take licensing exams that will allow them to practice in the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, and other countries throughout the world. The university is committed to producing physicians and nurses who have the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to succeed.
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