What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate advanced cancer patients' understandings, experiences, and preferences regarding sympathy, empathy, and compassion to establish conceptual clarity for research and clinical care.

August 17, 2016Palliative MedicineOpen Access

Sympathy, empathy, and compassion: A grounded theory study of palliative care patients’ understandings, experiences, and preferences

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SSShane SinclairAlberta Health Services KBKate BeamerUniversity of Calgary THThomas F. HackManitoba Health

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Grounded theory study reveals distinct patient experiences of sympathy, empathy, and compassion in advanced cancer, highlighting actionable compassion as the most valued response.

Key Points

To investigate advanced cancer patients' understandings, experiences, and preferences regarding sympathy, empathy, and compassion to establish conceptual clarity for research and clinical care.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with 53 advanced cancer inpatients at a large urban hospital.
Analyzed qualitative interview transcripts independently using the three stages and core principles of Straussian grounded theory.
Sympathy was characterized as an unwanted, pity-based reaction marked by an observer's self-preservation and a lack of understanding.
Empathy was experienced as emotional resonance that acknowledges and attempts to understand individual suffering.
Compassion incorporated key elements of empathy while uniquely featuring love, altruism, and actionable kindness, emerging as the most preferred and impactful response.

Cite This Study

Sinclair et al. (2016) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a109739e1a472cb5efd2e78 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216316663499

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

August 17, 2016Palliative MedicineOpen Access

Sympathy, empathy, and compassion: A grounded theory study of palliative care patients’ understandings, experiences, and preferences

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SSShane SinclairAlberta Health Services KBKate BeamerUniversity of Calgary THThomas F. HackManitoba Health

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Grounded theory study reveals distinct patient experiences of sympathy, empathy, and compassion in advanced cancer, highlighting actionable compassion as the most valued response.

Key Points

To investigate advanced cancer patients' understandings, experiences, and preferences regarding sympathy, empathy, and compassion to establish conceptual clarity for research and clinical care.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with 53 advanced cancer inpatients at a large urban hospital.
Analyzed qualitative interview transcripts independently using the three stages and core principles of Straussian grounded theory.
Sympathy was characterized as an unwanted, pity-based reaction marked by an observer's self-preservation and a lack of understanding.
Empathy was experienced as emotional resonance that acknowledges and attempts to understand individual suffering.
Compassion incorporated key elements of empathy while uniquely featuring love, altruism, and actionable kindness, emerging as the most preferred and impactful response.

Cite This Study

Sinclair et al. (2016) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a109739e1a472cb5efd2e78 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216316663499

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark