Educational programs

Empathy is critical in the practice of medicine. Empathetic communication can improve physician interactions - among peers and with their patients, for example - while self-empathy can improve physician health, helping to prevent and cure burnout and promote resilience (click here for a list of references).

Empathy - the ability to understand the mental state of another - can be learned, and one learning path is through a practice of mindful communication. 

The education programs that we offer aim to provide motivation and opportunities to learn mindful communication and gain experience in the practice of empathy.

Our current focus is on three major educational inititiaves:

• Peer-Led Group Interaction (PLGIN) Discussion Modules on Practical Empathy
• Effective Conversations Workshops
• Video Vignette Project

Dr. Andrew Clarke, the executive director of the Physician Health Program of BC, is also available to speak at conferences or rounds, on a variety of physician health related topics, including:

• Burnout
• Resilience
• Return-to-work for physicians

For more information, feel free to contact us.  Click here for a list of references.