Compassion [kuhm–pash-uhn] noun
A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Compassion Corner is a weekly series from Patient Worthy that will focus on the subject of compassion in the healthcare and rare disease space. In this series, we explore the role of compassion in this field and what it means for caregivers, patients, and others.

Physicians treating patients with compassion has become more urgent in this era of digital medicine. Dr. Anita Gupta believes that technology is causing patient interaction to gradually disappear.

Dr. Gupta wrote about her personal experience for the National Academy of Medicine.

 Dr. Gupta’s own experience began when her physicians told her that she had a large tumor on her spinal cord that was invading her chest cavity. They explained that there was a risk of paralysis if it was not removed immediately. Surgery was her only option.

Dr. Gupta has instructed hundreds of students about compassionate care. But when she experienced that care herself she realized the importance of the subjects she taught.

The doctor describes her post-surgical pain as excruciating. Her medications gave her very little relief. Dr. Gupta said it was the gentle touch of the nurse and her words of comfort that helped her so much. The nurse kept telling her to stay strong and that she would stay by her side.

About The Operation

Dr. Gupta is grateful for the high degree of robotic surgical procedures used during her surgery. She is grateful also to her surgeons and their skill in the use of that technology.

However, she leaves her highest praise for the experts who worked as a team to successfully remove a rare tumor.

Empathy and Trust

During her hospital stay, Dr. Gupta said that she was very appreciative of the providers who, although busy, found time to speak at length with her. She said the most significant effect on her mental and even her physical health came from sharing decisions. It was also the positive attitude they maintained throughout those interactions.

Dr. Gupta said that the empathy her providers showed to her instilled confidence. Their show of concern translated into trusting her treatment. It helped her to have the confidence she needed to survive.

Research studies show that communication builds trust between providers and patients and it definitely improves patient outcomes. Patients want to be apprised of their choices and to fully understand those choices. In that way, they can make well-informed decisions.

Dr. Gupta wrote that it was only during her own experience as a patient that she truly understood the relationships and power of a physician’s compassion.