What does empathy involve?

Empathy is fundamentally about understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. It goes beyond mere recognition of emotions; it involves putting oneself in another person's shoes, which allows one to appreciate the emotional experience they are going through. This connection can help build a rapport and trust, making it a vital skill in patient advocacy. By genuinely understanding another's feelings, advocates can better communicate with and support patients, ultimately contributing to better outcomes and satisfaction in care.

In contrast, simply being aware of one's own feelings involves self-reflection and doesn't require understanding someone else's emotions. Offering solutions to problems might be helpful in some contexts, but it lacks the emotional connection that empathy embodies. Expressing one’s own emotions, while important in certain scenarios, does not equate to sharing or understanding someone else's emotional state. Empathy is about that interpersonal connection and support, which is crucial in patient advocacy situations.