Empathy In Health Care

Compassion and empathy are important influences in our everyday life. It is especially true in a health care profession. A smile or a kindness gesture can go a long way and has a great impact on other people.

Having been surrounded by a loving family with a strong and motivating support group all my life has allowed me to see the best in people. However, I am not naïve enough to believe that the world is comprised of solely good people. Growing up, my parents always tell me, “Treat others as you would like others to treat you.” I learned that one should help others not because of expecting reward or benefits in return, but it is the right thing to do.

Treating others with kindness, no matter how big or small, can go a long way.

When I was volunteering at the emergency room at the Oakland’s Children Hospital, I have witness many life and death situations. As I watch helplessness’s on the families’ faces, my heart hurt for them. I knew I cannot do anything to save their love one, but still, I went out of my way to say hello while they are waiting in the waiting room hoping to ease whatever difficult situation they maybe faced. Ever offering help if they needed anything like a blanket or a cup of water relieves some of their burden.

Treating others with respect is essential in our increasingly diverse society, especially in light of the recent rising racial tensions sweeping our country. While attending college, I saw a diverse student body with various races and ethnic backgrounds, each of us different, but we learned from each other and understand each other’s differences and beliefs. This allow us all strive for a common goal of academic excellence.

Throughout my undergraduate education and work, I had learned to be empathy with people from different cultures and backgrounds. As a pharmacist, I will remain cognizant that my occupation is the most accessible and trustworthy and help my patients in any capacity. I will try to stand in patient’s shoes, with focusing on their needs, struggles, and feeling and helped those in needed as much as I can.