Observing physicians acting with different levels of empathy modulates later assessed pain tolerance

• DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12553
• Publication Date: 2021-08-10T07:55:12Z
• Authors: Ivo Käthner; Matthias Eidel; Anne‐Sophie Häge; Annika Gram; Paul Pauli
• Keywords: Empathic concern; Stimulus (psychology)

The patient-physician relationship is essential for treatment success. Previous studies demonstrated that physicians who behave empathic in their interaction with patients have a positive effect on health outcomes. In this study, we investigated if the mere perception of as empathic/not modulates pain despite an emotionally neutral patients.N = 60 women took part experimental study simulated clinical interaction. paradigm, each participant watched two immersive 360° videos via head-mounted display from patient's perspective. behaved either or not towards third person. Importantly, these remained subsequent virtual participants. Finally, participants received controlled, painful pressure stimulus within narratives videos.The high compared low empathy were rated more and likable, indicating successful manipulation. spite later behaviour physicians, short observation physicians' person was sufficient to modulate tolerance participants.The finding pain, direct participants, has important implications. Further, proposed paradigm enables investigating aspects communication are difficult examine setting.