Source: The post Compassion improves health care for everyone has been created, based on the article “Building compassion into the health-care structure” published in “The Hindu” on 12th March 2025. Compassion improves health care for everyone
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Context: The article highlights the importance of compassion in health care. It explains how compassion benefits both patients and medical professionals. It calls for training in compassionate care and urges global efforts to make health care more patient-centered and inclusive.
Why is compassion important in health care?
- Faster Recovery: Stanford University’s CCARE found that patients treated with compassion recover quickly and have shorter hospital stays.
- Reduced Anxiety: A Johns Hopkins study found that when doctors spend 40 extra seconds with patients and express solidarity, it significantly reduces anxiety and improves recovery.
- Improves job satisfaction: Doctors and nurses who practice compassion feel more fulfilled in their work. They build stronger relationships with patients, leading to better treatment outcomes.
- Reduces stress and burnout: Compassion helps health-care professionals manage emotional stress. Unlike empathy, which can cause exhaustion, compassion allows them to help patients without feeling overwhelmed.
- Promotes sustainable health care: Compassion creates a balanced approach, ensuring both patients and professionals benefit in the long term.
What is the difference between compassion, empathy, and sympathy?
| Aspect | Sympathy | Empathy | Compassion |
| Definition
| Feeling pity for someone’s suffering. | Deeply feeling someone’s pain as your own. | Understanding suffering and taking action to help. |
| Emotional Impact | Momentary response, no deep connection. | Can lead to emotional exhaustion and stress. | Maintains emotional stability while helping. |
| Effect on Health-care Workers | No significant impact. | Can cause burnout due to internalizing others’ pain. | Reduces stress and improves job satisfaction. |
| Example | Feeling bad for a sick patient but doing nothing. | A doctor feeling overwhelmed by a patient’s pain. | A doctor spending 40 extra seconds expressing solidarity, reducing patient anxiety (Johns Hopkins study). |
How can compassion be integrated into health care?
- Hospitals and medical institutions must train staff in compassionate care.
- Industry leaders should make it a priority.
- Training should focus on practical methods and the difference between empathy and compassion.
- Compassionate health care must also be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status.
Why is compassion important in mental health?
- Mental health crisis: Experts warn that depression could become the “next pandemic.” It has long-term effects on individuals and society.
- Compassion aids recovery: The story of Pradeep, a rescued child, shows how compassionate care helped him recover from severe trauma. Trained caregivers at Bal Ashram helped him regain his confidence without forcing him to relive his past. This example proves that compassionate care transforms lives.
- Sustainable mental health care: Compassion makes mental health care more effective and long-lasting.
Question for practice:
Discuss the importance of compassion in health care and how it benefits both patients and medical professionals.
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