Mommaerts JL, Goubert L, Devroey D. Empathy Beyond the Conceptual Level: Core Nonspecific Factors of Psychotherapy. Perspectives in Biology & Medicine. 2012;55(2):175-182.
Eerste auteur: Mommaerts JL.
Jaar: 2012
Type: Publicatie
Perspectives in Biology & Medicine
Abstract:
The human mind contains much more than concepts (glass, tree, stethoscope, physician, patient, pain-as-concept…). In only taking into account the conceptual level, a cared-for person may feel utterly lonely and abandoned, not deeply in contact with the caregiver, not ‘deeply understood’ for who he really is. A chronic pain patient for instance may react to a purely conceptual-level communication, with its lack of deeper contact, by an increasing sense of loneliness. This in itself may substantially contribute to the suffering of ‘chronic functional pain’ or even ‘functional disorders’ in general. In dealing with chronic pain patients, as with any patients, it is therefore very important to develop a sense of ‘empathy’ that goes beyond this, towards ‘deeply understanding’ the patient as complete person. This is important in any physician-patient contact. It also sheds a profound light on the all-important ‘non-specific factors’ of psychotherapy which according to many researchers form the only profoundly active principle in psychotherapy.