Empathy in action: Moving toward patient-centric care for multicultural type 2 diabetes patients

Healthcare providers are under more pressure than ever before to provide care and be empathetic with their patients, all while being measured on their performance. Research has shown that empathy is linked to adherence, but we do not know what truly drives empathy between providers and patients. With patient populations globally becoming more culturally diverse, being empathetic and patient-centric is an even more complex challenge. To help untangle the complexity between care, culture and performance (CCP), we have conducted a study about type 2 diabetes care and treatment that utilises qualitative and quantitative research techniques to explore, as well as quantify, the tensions in the mix. The study design is twofold, with a discrete patient and physician sample across the USA, Germany and the UK. The outcome is structured around the three key CCP tensions to provide a clear perspective of what drives empathy from a patient and physician perspective. Each section will present a global view first, followed by a more in depth look at the American landscape.