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A model of empathic understanding and adherence to treatment regimens in practitioner-patient relationships

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  • Squier, Roger W.

Abstract

Empathic understanding in practitioner relationships is postulated as necessary for adherence to therapeutic regimens. It is considered to be one of the most important practitioner relationship skills leading ultimately to patient health benefit. Research literature from a wide-range of health disciplines including personality theory, social psychology, psychotherapy, psycho-analysis, and practitioner-patient communication highlights the key role of empathic processes in personal health care. A model of empathic understanding is described which attempts to integrate the substantive findings in the research literature and seeks to generate new ideas for further investigation. The model addresses theoretical relationships between practitioners' empathic understanding, patients' knowledge of their illness and motivation to get better, adherence to treatment advice, and outcome. Recent work on the selection and training of medical and nursing staff in empathic skills is reviewed. A number of areas for future research are outlined including the effect of individual practitioner differences in the components of empathy, empathic compatibility in practitioner-patient dyads, fluctuations in levels of practitioner empathy during long-term care, specific practitioner behaviours which communicate empathy, and the relationship between factors of patient satisfaction and the perception of empathic understanding.

Suggested Citation

  • Squier, Roger W., 1990. "A model of empathic understanding and adherence to treatment regimens in practitioner-patient relationships," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 325-339, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:30:y:1990:i:3:p:325-339
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    Cited by:

    1. Gary D. Sherman & Beth Vallen & Stacey R. Finkelstein & Paul M. Connell & Wendy Attaya Boland & Kristen Feemster, 2021. "When taking action means accepting responsibility: Omission bias predicts parents' reluctance to vaccinate due to greater anticipated culpability for negative side effects," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 1660-1681, December.
    2. Gill, Liz & Cassia, Fabio & Cameron, Ian D. & Kurrle, Susan & Lord, Stephen & Fairhall, Nicola & Lockwood, Keri & Langron, Colleen, 2014. "Exploring client adherence factors related to clinical outcomes," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 22(3), pages 197-204.
    3. Mealem, Yosef & Siniver, Erez & Yaniv, Gideon, 2012. "Patient compliance, physician empathy and financial incentives within a principal-agent framework," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 827-830.

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