Love, Compassion Empathy in the medical field

Question

Nick Anast was a former physiology, anatomy, and zoology instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College. His classes were known to be extremely challenging because he challenged his students to think critically and to apply the information, they learned in lecture to real life situations during his exams. However, students who took his class learned to appreciate this because it gave meaning to the information they learned. He was an exceptional instructor who was deeply passionate about teaching, and this was evident in his instruction and in his investment to his students. In addition, during each class, we would take a momentarily break and he would share with us life stories as well as some of his interests in yoga, aikido and meditation. However, in particular, he always exemplified and taught us about compassion, empathy, and love and the importance of these characteristics when working with patients in health care professions and also in our daily interactions with others. The following assignment is to honor Nick and to promote his teachings of love, compassion, and empathy.

Instructions 

First, read the dedication to Nick above. 

Second, listen to this excerpt from one of Nick’s class lectures on love, empathy, and physiology.

https://soundcloud.com/morgen-sturgis/nick-anast-on-love-empathy-and-physiology (Links to an external site.)

In an essay, thoughtfully respond to all prompts below.

·         Define and differentiate compassion from empathy.

·         Most of you will enter health care professions. Besides just performing your job technically, it is important to display the characteristics of love, compassion, and empathy when interacting with your patients. Most patients come to you with anxiety, fears, uncertainties or illnesses. Describe how you will incorporate compassion and empathy to make your future patients feel more comfortable. Explain why this is important and how it will help them during treatment, recovery and in some circumstances, through death.

·         Describe how you will be more empathetic and compassionate in your interactions with friends, family, and even strangers.

o    Empathy and compassion can be contagious among individuals. Explain why.

o    Think about and explain how the world would be different if everyone was more compassionate and empathetic.

Format and Grading  

·         Typed, double spaced, 12pt size font, Times New Roman font

·         Incorporate some quotes from Nick’s lecture and/or lab manual dedication in your essay

·         Earn up to 100 points

·         Graded on quality, thoughtfulness, and detail of your response

·         1-3 page response. 

·         This is an individual assignment.