Empathy in action — from individual skill to system strength
Lauren Finestone
Evidence shows empathy improves care. But the real challenge is embedding it across teams and organisations.A good patient experience is central to quality, patient-centred care that respects individual needs, preferences and values. When patients feel heard, supported and treated with respect, they are more likely to follow treatment plans, recover faster and report greater satisfaction. But poor experiences remain common. While issues like staff shortages and fragmented systems contribute to this, research increasingly points to the role of relation...
Published 20 January, 2026
