Doctors often come to see me after being told repeatedly that they do not show enough empathy in clinical exams. This feedback can be quite confronting and many will wonder whether this is purely about exams or if they really lack emotion and empathy in their everyday lives. But either way – can empathy be taught?

As doctors, we are with patients and relatives when they are at their most vulnerable. At these times, it is essential that we provide empathic support. Even if some of us are not naturally inclined to outwardly display emotion or empathy, one of our roles as doctors is to demonstrate that we care. In some ways it is our most important customer service role.

Some criticise clinical exams because they seem to assess acting skills more than actual clinical skills. But actually in our everyday clinical practice patients expect us to perform in a way that makes them feel reassured and supported. I find that doctors are often surprised that the skills they learn preparing for specialist exams can enhance their clinical practice.

I’m not sure that we can be taught to feel empathy, but we can definitely learn to improve our patients’ experiences in their most vulnerable moments. In clinical exams, this is assessed as our ability to show empathy. And showing empathy is something that can be taught.