The Sound of Compassion and How it Can Guide Speech Doctors

Researchers have recently found the sound of compassion, according to Science World Report.

They have systematically pinpointed and catalogued compassionate words and actions found in doctor-patient conversations. By breaking down the dialogues and analyzing their concepts, the researchers hope to create a behavioral taxonomy that will guide medical training and education. The researchers recruited 23 oncologists from various private and hospital-based oncology clinics. The doctors and patients involved in the study volunteered to be recorded during routine visits. They then analyzed the 49 audio-recorded encounters that took place and looked for observable markers of compassion.

Compassion, unlike empathy, involves a deeper and more active imagination of the patient's condition. Due to this, scientists had to identify examples of the three main elements of compassion, namely: recognition of suffering, emotional resonance, and movement toward addressing suffering. The researchers also evaluated the tone of voice, as well as animation that conveyed tenderness and understanding.

Non-verbal communication was also recorded. This includes pauses or sighs that took place during appropriate times. Speech features and voice quality, including tone, pitch and loudness were also examined. Metaphorical languages that conveyed certain meanings and attitudes were also included in their study. Towards the end of the study, researchers found that compassion indeed unfolds over time. During the process, physicians must challenge themselves to stay with a difficult situation - which realistically leads to patients opening up and expressing uncertainty and grief.

"It became apparent that compassion is not a quality of a single utterance but rather is made up of presence and engagement that suffuses and entire conversation," the researchers explained. The results of their study were published in the journal Health Expectations.