This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Training of Lecturers
Training for Paediatricians and Paediatric Students
Multilanguage dictionary of medical terms
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Contractual Partners
From this section it is possible to access to a description of each contractual partner of the Softis-Ped project.
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Lecturers
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatric lecturers involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Residents Working with Children Information
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatricians involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Paediatric students
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatric students involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Associated Partners
As a result of the exploitation activity a number of associated partners officially joined the project in order to contribute to the improvement of the project impact on their target groups and to ensure the project sustainability by continuing using the project deliverables in the next years.
Events
The Softis-Ped project has been promoted trough conferences and articles.
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Conferences
The Softis-Ped project was presented in a number of events in order to report about the activities carried out and the results achieved
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Training Activity
The training activity 'Soft Skills in Pediatrics' was held at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures (RO)
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Press Review
The Softis-Ped project partnership made contacts with web sites focusing on the fields of paediatrics and education
This section of the Softis-Ped portal provides administrative information for the project contractual partners and for the European Commission and it is password protected.
Training for Paediatricians and Paediatric Students
Homepage > Training > Training for Paediatricians and Paediatric Students
This training package is addressed to students and medical practitioners in paediatrics on how to autonomously learn, develop and consolidate their soft skills for improving the quality of paediatric services.
Communicating in a Multicultural Environment
2.3 Empathy
Empathy is an emotional experience between an observer and a subject in which the observer, based on visual and auditory cues, identifies and transiently experiences the subject's emotional state. It has also been described as the ability to put oneself in the other person’s place. During the initial phase of the process, the observer must not only identify but also understand the basis of the subject's feelings. Simply comprehending the circumstances of someone else however, is not enough. The physician then needs to share the feelings that his understanding provokes in him or her. Only if those feelings are shared can and will empathy serve as a tool to foster understanding and connection (i.e. trust) in the doctor-patient-relationship.
As a basic recipe for developing more empathy, physicians should try to listen, observe and use their imagination. Listening helps to discern what problems other people face. While not always verbalized, observation will help to discern feelings that remain unexpressed vocally. Finally, asking oneself questions such as “How would I feel if I were in this situation?” will help to see the problem from the other person’s perspective.
Patients are likely to tell more about their symptoms and psychosocial concerns to an empathic physician. This enhanced medical and psychosocial information sharing leads to a more accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the empathic physician is able to identify with the patient and has a better understanding of individual patient's needs.
It is important to note that while almost everyone has a degree of empathy, not all suffering or emotional pain is readily discernible. When faced with a conversation partner from a culture different of one’s own, it can be a challenge to try to put oneself in the shoes of someone who is experiencing a situation which we personally have never experienced and which might be connected with or due to cultural idiosyncrasies unbeknownst to us. In this case, an empathic response needs to be coupled with awareness of cultural sensitivity.
As a basic recipe for developing more empathy, physicians should try to listen, observe and use their imagination. Listening helps to discern what problems other people face. While not always verbalized, observation will help to discern feelings that remain unexpressed vocally. Finally, asking oneself questions such as “How would I feel if I were in this situation?” will help to see the problem from the other person’s perspective.
Patients are likely to tell more about their symptoms and psychosocial concerns to an empathic physician. This enhanced medical and psychosocial information sharing leads to a more accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the empathic physician is able to identify with the patient and has a better understanding of individual patient's needs.
It is important to note that while almost everyone has a degree of empathy, not all suffering or emotional pain is readily discernible. When faced with a conversation partner from a culture different of one’s own, it can be a challenge to try to put oneself in the shoes of someone who is experiencing a situation which we personally have never experienced and which might be connected with or due to cultural idiosyncrasies unbeknownst to us. In this case, an empathic response needs to be coupled with awareness of cultural sensitivity.
Practical Applications
- Role Play – Empathy The anamnesis is a must in child care, although not all the parents are able to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant facts, sensitive information are not managed properly as well. Suggested method: RP, SP
- Practical Activity – EmpathyMedication needs to follow strict scenario. Parents do not always understand the importance of complying with drug prescriptions and the likelihood of side effects. Suggested method: PBL, CBL
Online Resources
- Definition of “Empathy”This Encyclopedia defines the term” empathy”.
