Empathy in palliative care: the key to dignified support!

Empathy in palliative care: the key to dignified support!

In the sensitive and complex world of palliative care, the importance of empathy, respect and interpersonal relationships is continually emphasized. This was recently discussed at Palliative Care Day, where specialist speakers highlighted the need for compassionate care. Prof. Dr. Inge Eberl explained that the network of relationships between nursing staff and patients is essential for fulfilling the treatment mandate. A central aspect of end-of-life care is recognizing and addressing the physical, emotional and social needs of patients, as Anne Gruber from the Bavarian State Representation in the German Society for Palliative Medicine emphasized. She made it clear that dealing with difficult life situations requires professional competence that can only be achieved through empathy and respectful interaction in order to increase the quality of care.

Particular challenges could also be observed during the Corona times, where funerals and farewells were severely restricted. Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien, President of the KU, emphasized that palliative care is more than just a medical discipline; it requires the recognition of the dignity of every human being. The support of seriously ill people is therefore not limited to medical measures alone, but is based on the formation of relationships and the concern for comfort and dignified care.

The role of empathy in nursing

The role of empathy in nursing cannot be overstated. According to an analysis, empathy is crucial for interpersonal relationships, especially in challenging care situations. Empathic communication promotes security and trust, which is of central importance for patients and their families. Care facilities are increasingly investing in methods to promote compassionate attitudes. In this context, the opinion is expressed that the ability to empathize can be viewed as both a natural talent and a skill that can be learned. Human actions are driven by the need for connection and development, making emotional intelligence increasingly important in nursing.

Another important point is that good care is also defined as the feeling of acceptance and understanding, and needs-based language is often the key to empathetic communication. This language promotes listening and mutual understanding, which is particularly important in a team. There are numerous reports of how empathetic interaction not only improves conflict management, but also optimizes collaboration within care teams and increases overall job satisfaction.

Workshop offers and future developments

The palliative care day not only included lectures, but also numerous workshops and discussion groups in which specialists exchanged experiences. It became clear how important it is to bring up your own experiences. An improvisation theater offered humorous and touching perspectives on the topics of empathy and relationship building in nursing. The participants had the opportunity to share their own stories, which were re-enacted by the “Playbacktheater Dachau”, which stimulated and intensified the discussion about personal experiences in care.

In conclusion, it can be said that the further development of palliative care requires interdisciplinary collaboration that combines nursing science, medical ethics, social work and theology. The KU is actively committed to such support in order to promote training and practice in the field of palliative care and to sustainably improve the care of seriously ill people.

KU, UniGraz, empathy