Definition: In regard to asthma, empathy is the ability to share someone's emotions and feelings related to their asthma. An empathetic physician or friend is able to identify with the feelings someone is experiencing about their diagnosis or symptoms of asthma.
Physicians are expressing empathy when they:
- Recognize strong feelings such as anger, guilt, or disappointment related to your asthma. They might say something like, "You look worried about what I have told you."
- Acknowledge and legitimize your feelings and perceptions about asthma with statements like, "I can imagine that being diagnosed with asthma must be very frustrating."
- Offer to become your partner in treating your asthma with statements like, "I'll make sure there is no evidence of another problem causing your symptoms."
- Offer support with statements like, "You did the right thing by bringing your child in to get checked out.
