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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126  rablenblank@gmail.com,
* February 6, 2026, 18, Shevat, 5786*
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“Compassionate In Time Of Need”

Being compassionate and caring with sincerity for all
men, women and children of diverse backgrounds

Compassionate care in healthcare.

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There are different versions of what being compassionate is about, but they all lead to the same meaning and that is about caring for another people.  What is most important is to do so with a full and caring heart and especially with sincerity. I have often been asked by those who were   considering chaplaincy what it means to be a chaplain. I would share different aspects of chaplaincy but most of all I would share how important it is to minister to men, women and children of diverse backgrounds. I would present various chaplaincy situations including how important it is to be able to minister to those who were of a different religious persuasion. I shared different scenarios including samples of what patients might be like due to their medical, mental or emotional state of being and how comfortable that person would be in the presence of those patients. Most of all, I would ask those interested in chaplaincy if they could find it in their hearts to be sincere and offer compassionate care to all human beings.  When my chaplaincy and other positions I held folded up due to the lack of funding I decided it was time to do networking. I printed up business cards with the saying below my name “Compassionate In Time of Need.” Someone whom I was very close to suggested those words which encapsulated what I stood for and believed in: to offer compassionate care, especially for those in their time of need or going through difficult challenges. Nothing has changed since then and in fact, I was able to gain different positions including chaplaincy.

The following are quotes dealing with compassion and several sites having to do with compassionate care.

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“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
― Albert Einstein

“Dare to Be
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free (From the internet)

“I find the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, help them reveal the greatest version of themselves.”
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

What Is Compassionate Care and Why Is It Important?

 

Compassionate care is a person-centered approach to delivering healthcare. It emphasizes empathy, respect, and support, which can help improve health outcomes.

Compassionate care is a holistic approach to healthcare. It prioritizes not only physical well-being but also the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of people receiving medical attention.

By recognizing each person’s humanity, compassionate care may enhance health outcomes. It can help build trust between people looking for care and the healthcare professionals providing it.

Read on to learn more about compassionate care, including why it’s important and how it may improve health outcomes.

What is compassionate care? 

Compassionate care is a healthcare approach that combines emotional support with medical treatment. It focuses on addressing the whole person and considers their physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being.

This care model has the following five main elements:

Empathy

Empathy involves understanding a person’s experience from their perspective. Healthcare professionals who practice empathy actively listen to concerns without judgment. This helps create a space where people feel comfortable expressing their fears and emotions.

For instance, a person with a chronic health condition may feel anxious about their treatment. An empathetic healthcare professional listens attentively, acknowledges these feelings, and offers reassurance. This may help the person feel heard and understood.

Respect

Respect means treating every person with dignity and honoring their values and preferences. This may include using their preferred pronouns, ensuring their privacy, and involving them in decisions regarding their care.

When discussing treatment options, a healthcare professional should respect a person’s decision-making process and ensure that their cultural or religious beliefs are considered before moving ahead with a treatment plan.

Communication

Effective communication is important in building trust between healthcare professionals and people. It involves clearly explaining diagnoses and treatment plans in simple terms, as well as addressing any questions or concerns.

When delivering a difficult diagnosis, a healthcare professional should take time to explain the situation in a straightforward way, without lots of technical language. This helps ensure that a person understands all their options and feels empowered to ask questions without feeling rushed.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity requires awareness of the cultural, emotional, and psychological factors that may influence a person’s healthcare experience. Healthcare professionals should personalize care to accommodate these factors.

For example, a person from a community with strong cultural beliefs about healthcare may be hesitant about certain treatments. A sensitive healthcare professional takes time to understand these beliefs and adjusts their care approach accordingly. This ensures that the person feels respected and supported.

Support

Support involves offering physical, emotional, and informational help throughout a person’s healthcare journey. It may include guiding them through challenging treatments, helping them cope with anxiety, or connecting them to additional resources like therapy or support groups.

For example, a person undergoing chemotherapy may need both emotional and physical support. A compassionate healthcare professional not only offers reassurance during treatment but also connects them with support groups for people in similar situations.

Why is compassion important in healthcare?

Compassion is important in healthcare because it helps bridge the gap between clinical treatment and human experience. When healthcare professionals treat people with compassion, they acknowledge that people are more than their medical conditions.

Compassionate care can help a person feel more comfortable and respected. This, in turn, encourages openness and trust.

A 2020 study review found that compassion-based interventions may help reduce feelings of fear, isolation, and anxiety in people with long-term physical conditions.

A compassionate approach also ensures that healthcare professionals understand each person’s unique needs and preferences, which can lead to better personalized care plans and improved health outcomes.

How can compassionate care improve health outcomes? 

Research from 2022 shows that empathy in the healthcare professional-patient relationship significantly influences treatment outcomes — specifically, when healthcare professionals demonstrate empathy and respect and build a strong therapeutic connection.

A 2020 review of studies found that compassionate care reduces anxiety and fear in people with chronic conditions like cancer. Practicing empathy and active listening helps improve health outcomes by reducing negative emotional states.

A 2024 narrative review shows that healthcare professionals who deliver compassionate care can improve health outcomes. Compassionate care can enhance patient safety, quality, and engagement.

This review also emphasizes that compassionate leadership fosters patient-centered care and focuses on preventing errors. This can help reduce pain, improve recovery times, and increase overall patient satisfaction.

How can healthcare professionals demonstrate compassionate care?

Healthcare professionals can demonstrate compassionate care in several ways, including:

  • Active listening: This involves giving a person your full attention, maintaining eye contact, and using empathetic body language. Simple gestures like nodding or repeating back what the person has said can make a difference.
  • Personalized care: Understanding each person’s unique circumstances and adjusting treatment accordingly helps them feel seen and valued. This includes considering emotional needs alongside physical treatment.
  • Effective communication: Using simple, jargon-free language to explain diagnoses, treatment options, and procedures ensures people feel informed and involved in their care.
  • Emotional support: Offering words of encouragement and showing genuine concern builds trust, especially during challenging treatments or procedures.
  • Cultural sensitivity: Compassionate care also means recognizing and respecting cultural differences. Understanding a person’s background allows for care that aligns with their beliefs and values, increasing trust and comfort.

Takeaway

Compassionate care is a holistic approach that focuses on empathy, respect, and personalized care, improving health outcomes and fostering trust.

It is an important approach in healthcare because it ensures that people feel respected, heard, and supported throughout their care and treatment.

By actively listening, communicating clearly, and addressing peoples’ emotional and physical needs, healthcare professionals can enhance the overall care experience.

Last medically reviewed on October 18, 2024

How we reviewed this article:

SOURCES

HISTORY

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Oct 18, 2024

Written By

Rashida Ruwa, RN

Medically Reviewed By

Alana Biggers, MD, MPH

Compassionate Care: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

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From American Association of Colleges of Nursing 

Trailblazing Innovation Integrating The Documentary 5B Into Nursing Education

Compassionate Care

Within the healthcare community, compassion is defined as “the recognition, understanding, and emotional resonance with another’s concerns, distress, pain or suffering, coupled with relational action to ameliorate these states” (Lown, 2016).  Simply stated, compassion involves having empathy or real concern for patients coupled with a desire to take action to address the patient’s need. 

According to The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, healthcare professionals who provide compassionate or humanistic care typically exhibit the following seven attributes:

  • Integrity: the congruence between expressed values and behavior
  • Excellence: clinical expertise
  • Compassion: once again, this is the awareness and acknowledgement of the suffering of another and the desire to relieve it
  • Altruism: the capacity to put the needs and interests of another before your own
  • Respect: the regard for the autonomy and values of another person
  • Empathy: the ability to put oneself in another’s situation, e.g., nurse as patient
  • Service: the sharing of one’s talent, time, and resources with those in need; giving beyond what is required.

In addition, leading authorities in the field of nursing, including Dr. Patricia Benner, have identified four hallmarks of compassionate health care:

  • A strong desire to help patients, families, and colleagues. This is the primary reason why many nurses enter the profession.
  • The ability to collaborate, communicate, and partner with patients and family members to the extent they need and desire. This is truly the essence of providing patient-centered, culturally sensitive care.
  • A commitment of all who provide and support healthcare to communicate and collaborate with each other. Health care today is rapidly moving toward team-based models where all healthcare professionals work in tandem on behalf of the patient and show respect for what each provider brings to the care team.
  • The well-being and resilience of the healthcare professional. There is a growing body of evidence that shows a clear link between a nurse’s personal well-being and the quality of the care they provide.

Compassionate care is not only the right thing to do from a humanistic perspective; this approach also raises the quality of care and helps to improve patient safety.  When nurses and other healthcare providers work together and build caring, trusting, and collaborative relationships with patients, studies reveal a connection to more appropriate healthcare decisions, better patient adherence with treatment plans, and less costly healthcare outcomes. Employers today are looking for highly educated nurses who can deliver these outcomes, can work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and provide the best care possible to patients, especially for the most vulnerable.

Reflection:

Questions and exercises to consider with classmates and/or colleagues:

  • What other attributes do you see as foundational to compassionate care?
  • List examples of compassionate care demonstrated by the caregivers in 5B.
  • Think of a time when you believe you delivered compassionate care.  How did it feel to do so?  What was your patient’s reaction?
  • How does one provide compassionate care while maintaining their own well-being?
  • How does clinical expertise contribute to compassionate care?
  • Name ways that caregivers on 5B demonstrated service – giving beyond what is required.

Helpful Resources

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Research, clinician wellbeing resources, podcasts

The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare
Issue briefs and research; media center, video gallery

The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education
Stanford University

Recommended Readings

Aagard, M., Papadopoulos, I. & Biles, J., (January 26, 2018). Exploring compassion in U.S. nurses: results from an international research study. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Vol. 23, No. 1.

Lown, B.A., Rosen, J. & Martiila, J. (2011). An agenda for improving compassionate care: a survey shows about half of patients say such care is missing. Health Affairs, 30(9), 1772-1778. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0539

Compassionate Care

May our lives be filled with empathy, kindness, goodness, sincerity and caring for our fellow human beings with TLC as Rabbis, Rebbetzins, Chaplains, and all who read this and my other Moments of Inspiration. May our relationship with the Ribono shel Olam continue to be strong as well as our love for Him.

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank