Hospitals in England ranking highly for empathy ‘have better patient outcomes’
Summary
A study found that hospitals in England with higher empathy scores tend to have better patient outcomes, improved staff wellbeing, and lower costs on temporary staff. The empathy scores were based on factors like hospital culture, leadership, and how well healthcare workers understand and listen to patients.Key Facts
- The study rated NHS trusts in England for empathy using data on culture, leadership, and practitioner empathy.
- Higher empathy scores were linked to better chances of receiving a “good” or “outstanding” rating for patient safety and effectiveness.
- Hospitals with higher empathy had less staff burnout and fewer absences.
- These hospitals also spent less money on agency staff and external consultants.
- Empathy helps patients feel listened to, leading to better diagnosis and care.
- The study used publicly available data including Care Quality Commission ratings and NHS staff surveys.
- The average empathy score among NHS trusts was 6 out of 10.
- The research is provisional and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
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