Clinical Empathy Application Essay

Clinical empathy is defined as a physician’s ability to identify a patient’s perspectives and experiences and then to reciprocate these understandings back to the patient. This understanding facilitates a rich doctor-patient interaction in the clinical setting, while also producing a sense of validation within the patient. However, as twenty-first century medicine focuses on patient-centered care, studies have indicated that the implementation of standardized communication protocols and the increasing use of biomedical technologies are making many patients feel increasingly disconnected from their doctors. A growing emphasis on “compassionate care” has highlighted the missing element of empathy from this interaction, and now medical educators are addressing this empathy crisis by turning to the arts for a solution.
This past year I have
An introductory course on medicine and literature ignited my passion for the medical humanities by depicting the multilayer components of medicine. I since have taken multiple graduate-level courses to refine my understanding of this field, to gain familiarity with the various research methods within this discipline, and to see and appreciate practical applications of its theory. Through my experiences as a student researcher in the Mellon-funded Falls Narrative Study, I have become proficient with ethnographic research, interviewing techniques, qualitative coding, and mixed-method data analysis. Through my fellowship experience and time with PM, I have familiarized myself with the UK medical school curriculum and the National Health Service healthcare system, while creating a base of contacts from both medicine and the arts who are willing to endorse and assist me in my research. I will continue to prepare for the Fulbright throughout this year by completing my Interdisciplinary Studies honors thesis in under the guidance of my advisor Dr. Jane