empathy

Medical term Communication and Customer Service

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings from their point of view.

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Related terms

active listeningGiving full attention to understand what the speaker means and responding thoughtfully.
barrier to communicationAnything that blocks understanding, such as noise, distance, language or hearing barriers, or strong…
closed-ended questionA question answered with yes, no or a short fact.
cultural competenceProviding care that respects and fits patients' cultural values, beliefs and practices.
feedbackThe receiver's response to a message, which shows whether it was understood.
nonverbal communicationCommunicating without words, through facial expression, gestures, posture, eye contact and touch.
open-ended questionA question that invites a detailed answer in the patient's own words, such as "Tell me about your pain."
rapportA relationship of trust and understanding between the patient and caregiver.