Explicit and implicit constructs of compassion: getting to the heart of the therapeutic relationship

The concept of compassion has been brought very much to the forefront in recent years, with evidence to suggest that patient coping and recovery occurs at a faster level if patients are treated with kindness and understanding. Compassion contains many virtues, and may be explicit or implicit, but most importantly it involves some kind of ‘action’. This presentation will briefly explore definitions of compassion before moving onto the application of compassion within the healthcare setting, and with specific clinical conditions. Effective communication will be discussed, as will attention to the individuality of the patient, and identification of how much information a patient might need in order for them to participate in the decision making process. Real-life examples will be provided, including experiences from healthcare professional themselves, to highlight the importance of an effective and compassionate therapeutic relationship. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying a compassionate approach, together with the positive effects for both the recipient and provider will be discussed.