Empathy: Real Stories to Inspire and Enlighten Busy Clinicians helps you approach tough conversations with patients in a new, more effective way―by imagining what patients and their families may be thinking and feeling, and then communicating that recognition clearly and confidently. The authors use stories to illustrate what empathy looks and sounds like on an operational level―rather than a theoretical, scientific, or conceptual level―and provide the actionable advice you need to make empathy the central focus when faced with challenging scenarios, such as “denial,” questions about prognosis, existential concerns, difficult family dynamics, anger, and nonmedical opiate use.

The viewpoints presented are drawn from a diverse group of clinicians from a variety of medical disciplines, including oncology, palliative medicine, pediatrics, psychology, chaplaincy, and ophthalmology. Each chapter is anchored by a true but anonymized story that clearly illustrates how empathy can unfold in the clinical setting. Vignettes throughout provide sample dialogue and examples of actual words and phrases that help clinicians connect with patients under the most trying circumstances.

Much more than a guide to breaking bad news or an overview of all communication skills, Empathy: Real Stories to Inspire and Enlighten Busy Clinicians is a must-read for anyone connected to the healthcare industry.