Empathy Quote by Samuel Shem
“Yes, last year in interviewing. Empathy is when you repeat the last three words the patient says and nod your head.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The House of God", 1969
Empathy is demonstrated by mirroring a patient’s words and showing attentive listening.
In simple terms: Empathy = repeating patient’s last words and nodding.
Key Takeaway
Practice active listening to show empathy.
Themes
empathy
communication
medical practice
Mood
compassionate
professional
thoughtful
Type
instructional
practical
When to use this quote
- clinical training
- therapy sessions
- patient interviews
Key Concepts
listening skills
patient care
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we go beyond mirroring to true empathy?
- What other techniques enhance patient rapport?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify deeper emotional connection.
![“Thus, whatever the medical student has been taught, and even genuinely believes, about the ideals of medicine, the primacy of empathy, the value of the doctor-patient relationship--all of this is swamped once he or she steps into the wards. [...] It's no wonder that empathy gets trounced in the…” quote by Danielle Ofri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/549/danielle-ofri-26196_empathy_thus-whatever-the-medical-student-has-be_1851607.jpg)
![“That is another theme in the book [Dreams from My Father]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we get the black to see through the eyes of the white? Or the citizen to see through the eyes of the immigrant? Or the straight to see through the eyes of the gay? That has…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/barack-obama-17_black_that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams_10185.jpg)
