Empathy as a Cornerstone of Healing by James C. Wittig, MD

When I reflect on decades of practice in orthopedic oncology, treating children and adults with debilitating and life-threatening conditions, I realize that clinical expertise, surgical precision, and the impact of technology are indispensable. Yet equally essential is the human quality that often goes undervalued: empathy.

“The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world.” - Plato

The Need for Empathy

In my capacity, I’ve learned that empathy is a critical element of healing; preventing the development of other symptoms related to a cancer diagnosis, helping patients traverse each juncture in their health journey, and easing the concerns of surgical treatment. With an awareness of your patients' emotions, a practitioner can take direct action to provide informed care to alleviate concerns.

Research has shown that when clinicians act on empathy, patients experience reduced anxiety and depression, which improves psychological well‑being throughout the entirety of their cancer journey. For instance, studies in breast cancer care reveal that empathetic communication helps lower the uncertainty patients feel about diagnosis and treatment, supporting mental adjustment both during active treatment and survivorship.

Extending Empathy Beyond the Patient

But cancer is not an individual disease; it reverberates through families. Parents, spouses, siblings, and children often shoulder immense emotional and practical burdens. They manage appointments, offer comfort, and share in every setback and triumph. They also experience grief wondering if their loved ones will respond well and be cured.

Empathy means meeting families in this challenging space and acknowledging the network of loved ones that support a patient. When families are made part of the communication process, they are better equipped to be part of the healing process. Practicing empathy ensures that even in highly emotive situations, concerns can be voiced, and better care can be provided holistically.

Care is Enhanced by Empathy

Empathy does not replace scientific care; it enhances it. Evidence across multiple studies indicates that patients who perceive authentic empathy from their clinicians report higher satisfaction, greater adherence to treatment plans, and fewer misunderstandings or disputes. Even in placebo studies, patients who were treated personally, with questions tailored to their needs, saw a significantly larger reduction in symptoms than those treated without empathy and compassion.

Creating a Culture of Empathy

By mapping the entire patient journey, from the first phone call to the last follow-up, we can identify pain points and obstacles that stunt the healing process of patients. This perspective is typically limited, with information obtained through quantitative surveys and focus groups that lack a direct line between doctor, patient, and caregiver. When families and patients become partners in creating these solutions, we create clarity, improve communication, and build trust. With every part of the process aligned, we can redesign a culture where empathy is operationalized, where better outcomes naturally follow.

I have witnessed how compassion for families can transform a patient’s experience. When a mother’s fears are addressed, her child feels calmer. When a spouse understands a surgical plan, the patient’s confidence grows. Every moment of empathy we extend outward to caregivers, to parents, to partners ultimately returns to the person at the center of it all: the patient.

By acknowledging human connection and building empathy into the foundation of care, we create an environment where patients are no longer isolated; instead, they are supported by a network that covers the clinic to the home. This ensures that everyone in their corner is working together to give them the best chance to fight their disease.