BMC Med Ethics January 2016 PMID 26818248

Making space for empathy: supporting doctors in the emotional labour of clinical care.

Angeliki Kerasidou, Ruth Horn

Mentions

15
Peak: 4 in Aug 2021
across 3 sources since Aug 2021

Extended reach

16,860
potential audience

Total likes

7

Video views

170

Mentions per month

Aug 2021 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • News5 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions frequently highlight the need to support doctors emotionally, with examples like calls for improved work conditions and questioning negative stereotypes about emotional expression, using words like 'support,' 'challenge,' and 'develop,' which convey a thoughtful and proactive tone about fostering empathy in healthcare.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree with the article's emphasis on supporting doctors' emotional labor, highlighting its importance for empathy and burnout prevention.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with many referencing the challenges of emotional balance in clinical settings and the need for organizational change.

EngagementModerate engagement

Discussions involve reflections on emotional support methods and changing perceptions, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The overall tone suggests that the article could influence practices and attitudes toward physicians' emotional well-being, implying a significant impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The article emphasizes that while empathy improves patient care, little attention has been paid to its emotional toll on doctors, who often suppress their feelings due to professional stereotypes.
  • It highlights that the demand for emotional engagement can lead to negative outcomes like burnout and depression in physicians, and suggests that providing support through reflection tools and peer discussions can help.
  • To truly foster empathy in healthcare, the negative perceptions of emotional expression must be challenged, and work conditions should be improved so doctors can develop emotional skills without fear of professional judgment.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Sandra Woods, CIPP/C; she/her
@SandraWoodsMtl · X

T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative image associated with the expression of emotions should be questioned . work conditions of physicians should improve" #bioethics https://t.co/sP6TmdGTkz

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 2,013 followers View post →
Amir Grinstein מחקרהתנהגותי#
@AmirGrinstein · X

@DamilyFactor @gilboa_mayan אנחנו יודעים מהספרות (והאינטואיציה) שרופאים אמפתים עושים עבודה רפואית טובה יותר כי הם קשובים יותר למטופלים. אולי זה כבר קורה היום (ומעיין תדע) ויש הדרכות בנושא אמפתיה או הקשבה (יש עולם מחקרי סביב איך מגדילים listening - ואשמח לשתף עוד בנושא אם מעניין). https://t.co/vxB46TvK8e

Apr 14, 2023 · 2 likes · 6,485 followers View post →
Ming-Ka Chan 陳明嘉, MD MHPE FRCPC
@MKChan_RCPSC · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 3,673 followers View post →
Amy Ma - 馬錦華 - Settler on Indigenous land
@Ctzen_Improver · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 3,166 followers View post →
Richard W Mockler
@RWMhealth · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 575 followers View post →
stephanie
@postsyncope · X

@itzmissmolly @tth3bl4ckestd4y @tarablogging Imagine throwing your laptop on your bed. It’s not very aggressive because you dont want to break it (especially being a doctor). I’m sure she knows it wont open her eyes— tara is the only one who can choose recovery for herself. https://t.co/DehXApQV5M

Aug 30, 2025 · 247 followers View post →

All mentions

stephanie
@postsyncope · X

@itzmissmolly @tth3bl4ckestd4y @tarablogging Imagine throwing your laptop on your bed. It’s not very aggressive because you dont want to break it (especially being a doctor). I’m sure she knows it wont open her eyes— tara is the only one who can choose recovery for herself. https://t.co/DehXApQV5M

Aug 30, 2025 · 247 followers View post →
stephanie
@postsyncope · X

@itzmissmolly @tth3bl4ckestd4y @tarablogging https://t.co/DehXApQV5M

Aug 30, 2025 · 247 followers View post →
Amir Grinstein מחקרהתנהגותי#
@AmirGrinstein · X

@DamilyFactor @gilboa_mayan אנחנו יודעים מהספרות (והאינטואיציה) שרופאים אמפתים עושים עבודה רפואית טובה יותר כי הם קשובים יותר למטופלים. אולי זה כבר קורה היום (ומעיין תדע) ויש הדרכות בנושא אמפתיה או הקשבה (יש עולם מחקרי סביב איך מגדילים listening - ואשמח לשתף עוד בנושא אם מעניין). https://t.co/vxB46TvK8e

Apr 14, 2023 · 2 likes · 6,485 followers View post →
Kip Austin Hinton
@kipaustinhinton · X

@plantjoys @lil_yoga_pants @Dumbbryan @saggiesplinters I am not a medical doctor, I understand empathy is a very difficult balance. https://t.co/1ON3xXsCVk

Nov 12, 2021 · 203 followers View post →
Ming-Ka Chan 陳明嘉, MD MHPE FRCPC
@MKChan_RCPSC · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 3,673 followers View post →
Amy Ma - 馬錦華 - Settler on Indigenous land
@Ctzen_Improver · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 3,166 followers View post →
Richard W Mockler
@RWMhealth · X

RT @SandraWoodsMtl: T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative i…

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 575 followers View post →
Sandra Woods, CIPP/C; she/her
@SandraWoodsMtl · X

T2 #hcldr "Physicians should be supported in their emotional work, which will help them develop empathy... . negative image associated with the expression of emotions should be questioned . work conditions of physicians should improve" #bioethics https://t.co/sP6TmdGTkz

Aug 10, 2021 · 4 likes · 4 shares · 2,013 followers View post →
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