Called to Care Course Teaches Healthcare Providers About Compassion and Empathy

Evidence In Motion (EIM) is pleased to announce the release of Called to Care, a program designed to shift healthcare away from deeply impersonal care towards an enhanced commitment among caretakers to high quality patient connections with an emphasis on compassion and empathy.C2C

Called to Care is based on recent research conducted by EIM principles Dr. Laurence Benz, DPT, OCS, MAAP, MBA, and Dr. Timothy Flynn, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, referenced in the recent publication in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). The article, entitled “Placebo, Nocebo, and Expectations: Leveraging Positive Outcomes,” cites research from over the last decade that defines placebo and nocebo effects as real, psychobiological responses that are foretelling of treatment outcomes. The article indicates that a combination of evidence-based interventions and the framing of the experience in a positive manner by the caretaker can radically change patient encounters, and that those who embrace the addition of the placebo to their proverbial ‘tool kits’ have great potential to maximize results.

“Rules, regulations, and electronic medical records have contributed to less effective care by creating barriers to the relationship between patient and medical provider,” said Dr. Larry Benz. “Called to Care is designed to reinvigorate providers and emphasize the importance of their relationships with patients. It also encourages them to view their work as a calling.”

Dr. Benz recently completed a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania where he studied the influence of non-clinical factors and positive health. His thesis explored the scientific basis of how effective training in empathy, listening, and positivity, as well as related positive psychology interventions, can shift therapists’ behavior and influence patient care. Benz also recently completed and presented to the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association’s national conference an extensive analysis of a conjoint statistical study that identified the top 5 attributes that patients desire in choosing a physical therapy provider. The Called to Care course bridges both studies.

The self-paced course is conducted online with video instruction and interactive lessons that cite the best current evidence, and participants will earn 11.5 contact hours from the EIM Institute of Health Professions upon completion. Called to Care is available for purchase for $249 on EIM’s website, where institutional branded versions and licenses are also available.