Lack of empathy may lead to ineffective care, disregarded
weight-loss counseling, and patient dissatisfaction
In a small study of 39 primary care doctors and 208 of their
patients, Johns Hopkins researchers have found that physicians built much less
of an emotional rapport with their overweight and obese patients than with
their patients of normal weight.
Bonding and empathy are essential to the patient-physician
relationship. When physicians express more empathy, studies have shown that
patients are more likely to adhere to medical recommendations and respond to
behavior-change counseling — all vital elements in helping overweight and obese
patients lose weight and improve health.