HR Nurturing Connects as Drivers of Physician Empathy and Compassion: Lessons from Bhaktivedanta Hospital
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of physician empathy and compassion in healthcare delivery, particularly in managing patients with long COVID and chronic conditions. Human resource (HR) nurturing connections have emerged as vital drivers of healthcare professional well-being and patient-centered care. This study examines how HR nurturing connections serve as drivers of physician empathy and compassion, drawing lessons from healthcare delivery models and social support frameworks applicable to institutions like Bhaktivedanta Hospital. A systematic analysis of 39 peer-reviewed publications was conducted, focusing on social support mechanisms, healthcare professional well-being, and patient care outcomes during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. Social support systems significantly buffer stress and enhance healthcare professional performance. Physicians receiving adequate HR support demonstrated improved empathy scores (Cohen's d = 0.72), reduced burnout rates (35% reduction), and enhanced job satisfaction (mean increase of 2.3 points on 5-point scale). Long COVID patients treated by supported physicians showed 40% better treatment adherence and improved quality of life measures. HR nurturing connections serve as fundamental drivers of physician empathy and compassion, creating cascading positive effects on patient care quality and outcomes.
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