The power of a call

Andrés Fontalba

In recent months, we have changed the way we behave as a society. And although many of the changes continue, some of them have already been consolidated and are here to stay. One of these changes has been the use of telephone calls for remote follow-up of patients who cannot attend the consultation. With a phone call, you can share specific information, such as the result of a diagnostic test, or attend to a specific request from a patient, but one of the most powerful effects that these calls have produced is that, if they are made in an empathetic way, they can relieve loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

Empathy training

Andrés Fontalba
 

Communication is the most important skill for healthcare professionals. Efficient communication occurs when the therapist feels sure that he or she has listened to and registered the user's needs and, thanks to this, can provide personalized attention. Empathy is the ability to perceive, understand and share the feelings, thoughts and emotions of others, based on the recognition of the other as a person similar to ourselves, with a mind of their own. Both parties benefit from this empathy, and patients who experience empathy during their treatment obtain better results and greater chances of recovery. In turn, professionals with higher levels of empathy work more efficiently and productively and express greater satisfaction with their professional development.