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Fostering Physician Compassion
Remove the barriers to being
compassionate
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Ensure adequate sleep, rest and vacation
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Retreat
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Preparation/Reflection
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Physician support systems
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Realistic assessment of competence
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Beware of counter-transference
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Focus on long-term efficiency
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Use acts of compassion that are free or inexpensive
- eye contact, sitting down, mannerism
Techniques to foster compassion
Develop empathy
Focus on own life experiences
Imagination
Trust intuition
Learn from others through stories, art, poetry
Listen patiently
Acknowledge similar experiences and emotions
Share own emotions and distress with patients (carefully)
Remember the Hippocratic Oath "Not to treat those
overmastered by their disease."
Source:
Rabow, MW. Breaking Bad News: Managing the Aftermath.
Presented at UCSF’s "End of Life Care for the Hospitalized Patient, October
2000. |
