Do you feel you’re in tune with your doctor? What is patient engagement?

Patient engagement is having an empathetic and trusting relationship with your provider, which is formed with mutual respect and understanding. It’s a give-and-take dynamic between the doctor and the consumer or patient that determines a succesful partnership.

So what is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s thoughts, feelings and experiences in a relationship. Empathy allows clinicians, doctors or others to connect with consumers. Communication and listening is a very important part in the understanding of the consumer’s or patient’s needs and should be kept simple, clear, and direct. Empathy and respect allow both the patient and the doctor to work together to determine the best treatment options for recovery.

As a consumer, I have a hard time expressing myself verbally. I feel weak when having to express my feelings or emotions. However, when I do, I’ve found that I better understand my doctor’s approach to my treatment needs. In this, I’ve come to see expressing my feelings as a strength–a skill that is essential to my recovery. Practicing empathy and clear communication has made me stronger and more courageous.

We consumers can grow out of the mental and physical deterrents of our illness by understanding what empathy is and how we can practice it to make choices that empower us to grow. For doctors and clinicians, practicing empathy promotes understanding and cooperation with consumers and empowers them to become more active in their treatment and recovery.