Brené Brown‘s insight on the difference between empathy and sympathy has been animated into an instructive, informative, funny and adorable short video. In case you’re like me and would rather read the gist than watch a video, here’s an excerpt (though I do recommend the…
Can a doctor who has a headache disorder understand — and treat — your illness better than one who doesn’t? Is shared experience necessary for empathy? “How could I possibly understand or help her, she seemed to be asking, if I had not personally experienced…
ChronicBabe is always an awesome site; recently it’s been overflowing with terrific articles and links. Illness and Empathy for Others In her latest contribution to ChronicBabe, Laurie Edwards (whose articles I love) describes how her illness influences her interactions with loved ones when they have…
In And Today is Another Day, physician and writer Richard Waltman chronicles his experiences as a cancer patient. Although our illnesses are different, the lessons of his journey are universal. He also gives this important advice to other docs: “Now hear this: We are them…