Empathetic language is the art of using words to show understanding and care for another person’s feelings. According to a study published in the Cambridge University Press, “Empathy functions as the key mechanism in understanding other people and cooperating in an intelligible manner; it can thus be seen as a core mechanism of intersubjectivity.”
Practitioners should strive to validate and respect other perspectives and emotions. For example, instead of saying, “I don’t see why this is upsetting,” empathetic language would sound like “I can see how this situation might feel overwhelming for you”.
Weight stigma is a persistent issue in society and trickles down into sectors like healthcare. For patients with weight-related chronic illnesses, stigma can worsen both their mental and physical health. It creates feelings of shame and depression which can interfere with their ability to adhere to treatment plans.
According to an American Psychological Association study, psychologists should focus on advocating for weight acceptance. The stigma can also affect the quality of care patients receive. Biased providers might focus solely on weight loss rather than addressing the root causes of chronic illness. Patients may delay or avoid medical appointments altogether to escape judgment which leads to untreated health issues and worsening outcomes.
Effective written communications using HIPAA compliant email or text messaging platforms like Paubox require a thoughtful approach. Actively listening used in verbal communication can be translated to careful consideration of context and the emotional state of the recipient.
Solutions are based on providing a sense of support in a way that shows a willingness to help or address an issue that remains constructive to the patient and provider.
In text, this can be conveyed through warmth and concern using words that signal care. This type of language, when used by healthcare organizations, can help navigate the possibility of dismissive or overly authoritative language.
Related: Top 12 HIPAA compliant email services
If a third party is accidentally CC’d into communications with a patient, it may constitute a HIPAA violation. This requires the organization to assess the breach and report it if necessary.
HIPAA compliant email is the ideal form of communication for healthcare organizations and can be used to send long-form none non-urgent information both internally and externally.