Clinical Empathy as a Cornerstone of Healthcare Bioethics

Clinical empathy is one of the cornerstones of Healthcare Bioethics, a novel theoretical-normative framework within Clinical Bioethics proposed as an alternative to Principlism. Methodologically, this paper consists of theoretical research aimed at examining the foundational role of clinical empathy on Healthcare Bioethics and its implications on care. In the first part of the paper, we present the theoretical-normative foundations of Healthcare Bioethics, arguing that clinical empathy’s moral role derives from its epistemic and motivational functions. Its epistemic function enables professionals to understand the mental and emotional states of patients, ultimately promoting care aligned with Patient-Centered Care and Shared Decision-Making models. We also argue that the very concept of care is deeply intertwined with clinical empathy, as it fosters a partnership between professionals and patients that promotes meeting patients’ needs in a responsible and respectful manner. Regarding its motivational function, we propose that, through empathic concern’s intrinsically-induced altruistic motivation, clinical empathy promotes the effective delivery of care while also strengthening the patient’s trust in the professional. In the second part of the paper, we examine clinical empathy’s contributions to the ethical deliberation process regarding moral conflicts that arises from clinical practice. Aligned with a restorative just culture in healthcare, clinical empathy facilitates understanding the individuals involved in the moral conflict and contributes to perspective shifts, ultimately reducing the likelihood of future conflicts and promoting the reconstruction of fractured relationships.

Keywords: Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Empathy, Ethical Deliberation.