Interprofessional Intentional Empathy Centered Care (IP-IECC) in healthcare practice: A grounded theory study

ABSTRACT

Training interprofessional healthcare teams continues to advance practice for patient-centered care. Empathy research is also advancing and has been explored in social work, psychology, and other healthcare areas. However, in the absence of understanding empathy in an interprofessional setting, educators are limited in preparing teams to develop empathy as part of core competencies. This grounded theory study explored how interprofessional healthcare teams conceptualize and operationalize empathy in their practice. Data were collected using six focus groups and 24 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals working in an interprofessional setting in Ontario, Canada. A grounded theory of interprofessional intentional empathy center care can be used to explain the conceptualization and operationalization of empathy in practice. Findings showed that collective empathy in an interprofessional team model contributes to improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, empathy is not accidental and must be cultivated through intentional and genuine team experiences. This study can be used to more effectively integrate empathy in interprofessional healthcare education and praxis.

KEYWORDS:

• Empathy
• interprofessional teams
• patient-centered care
• healthcare education

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge all the staff in this study who participate in interprofessional innovative models of care. In addition, Walden University Faculty and Staff.

Declaration of Interest

The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for writing and content of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deepy Sur

Deepy Sur is the Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).  She is an innovative and collaborative leader with diverse social work expertise, including, clinical social work experience in private and hospital settings, health promotion experience within public health, various leadership roles including Ambulatory Care. She has directed health system planning and integration planning in Toronto. Deepy has been an Assistant and Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster University. In addition, Deepy is a Faculty Instructor and Curriculum designer for the Medical Psychiatry Alliance - Collaborative Care Certificate Program.  She has specialized training in several other areas, including child trauma, DBT, trauma assessment, PTSD, EMDR, and suicide, crisis and cultural competency. Deepy holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University, a Master of Social Work from York University and PhD in Social Work Administration from Walden University, where her research focused on interprofessional teamwork and empathy and the development of Interprofessional Intentional Empathy Centered Care (IP-IECC).