The need for empathy in the hospital experience of older adults.
As health care has become increasingly sophisticated, health care providers struggle to ensure that patients do not become isolated and overwhelmed with the many specialists, support personnel, and technology they encounter in their hospital experiences. Hospitalized older patients often have complex diagnoses and pain issues and may have fewer external supports than younger patients. Nurses may find a renewed focus on empathy valuable in enriching health care experiences for hospitalized older adults.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. jsorrell@gmu.edu
Jeanne M
JM
Sorrell
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004517:Education, Professional; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations