Non-judgmental empathy in the exam room

<p>"I think we all have an inclination—at least from time to time—to judge others. No matter how experienced, compassionate, and professional we are as physicians, we’re still human. I can admit that I have indeed struggled with patients like the 65-year-old morbidly obese male who complains at every visit about how hard it is to control his blood sugar levels with the medications prescribed. I want to convince him so badly about diet and exercise, but I have tried, and often, these patients don’t want to hear it. Pharmacological or surgical interventions are the preferred route for many.</p> <p>I know I cannot magically change a patient’s attitudes about their health. Nevertheless, I still believe that the best I can do for my patients is to offer them my sincere professional advice without prejudice or discrimination. If my physical presence is intimidating to some, I won’t begrudge them for seeking a doctor who makes them feel more comfortable. In the end, I still believe that leading by example is essential for a physician and that I can use my personal experience to inspire positive change. After all, I am here to help."</p> <p><a href= "https://www.floridaspineinstitute.com/team/francisco-torres/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Francisco M. Torres</a> is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine and can be reached at <a href= "https://floridaspineinstituteandwellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link= "external">Florida Spine Institute and Wellness</a>.</p> <p>He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "<a href= "https://www.kevinmd.com/2022/07/the-importance-of-non-judgmental-empathy.html">The importance of non-judgmental empathy</a>."</p> <p><strong>Did you enjoy today’s episode?</strong></p> <p><a href="ht