Next to ‘patient-centricity,’ empathy is one of the biggest buzzwords within healthcare. But what is empathy really, and how can we practice it in a way that creates more inclusion and understanding of diverse perspectives? Many people talk about empathy, and sometimes it is at the risk of silencing diverse voices. In this session, we will examine what empathy is, what it isn’t, and why this matters if we want to improve the patient experience. 

• Unpack the concept of empathy and explore how it should be leveraged in healthcare (and beyond!)

• Learn how saying and thinking “we are all patients” can get in the way of empathy 

• Examine opportunities to engage and learn from diverse patients in order to create more inclusive experiences and improve health equity