Perceived acquisition, development and delivery of empathy in musculoskeletal physiotherapy encounters

Abstract

Empathy is considered essential to creating a positive clinician-patient relationship, along with improving patient experience and adherence to treatment. It is not clear how physiotherapists acquire their empathic skills.

This study explored physiotherapists’ perceptions of empathy during musculoskeletal clinical encounters. Seventeen participants attended three focus groups separated by clinical employment grade. The definition of empathy, its acquisition and impact on a clinical encounter were discussed, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Six key themes and 48 sub-themes were identified. Empathy was defined similarly in all three focus groups. There was divergence on its acquisition and the extent to which it can be taught, however participants agreed that empathy is an innate characteristic. Senior physiotherapists placed greater emphasis on the importance of empathic communication than student physiotherapists, whilst student and junior physiotherapists considered limited clinical experience to be a barrier in delivering empathic communication, anticipating this to improve over time.

This study identified a mismatch between the perceived importance of empathic communication in the literature and by clinicians, compared with the time spent acquiring and developing these skills. Clinicians need to place a greater emphasis on enhancing their empathic communication skills throughout their career to help create a positive patient experience and enhance clinician-patient relationships.

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ORCID for Lisa C. Roberts: orcid.org/0000-0003-2662-6696

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