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A groundbreaking review led by Nicki Macklin, a doctoral student at the University of Auckland, suggests that kindness could revolutionize communication within health care teams and improve patient outcomes. Her research emphasizes the importance of embedding kindness as a core value in health care culture and education.
Macklin, who specializes in population health, developed a new definition of kindness by analyzing published research. She found it to be action-oriented, positively focused, and purposeful, with a foundation in civility and respect.
“The foundation of kindness is civility and choosing actions that show respect, generosity, openness, and inclusion,” Macklin explained. “In health care, where conflicts often arise, kindness is about maintaining respect for others through deliberate responses.”
Distinguishing Kindness from Compassion and Empathy
Macklin’s paper, published in BMJ Leader, highlights the importance of distinguishing kindness from empathy and compassion, which are often conflated in health care literature.
- Empathy is an internal emotional response that involves understanding and sharing another’s feelings. It informs action but is not an action itself.
- Compassion arises from empathy, leading to a desire to alleviate suffering, though it may not always result in action.
- Kindness, in contrast, is action-oriented and aimed at helping others flourish, regardless of their emotional state.
“Kindness can be taught and measured in medical education, making it a practical tool for improving health care outcomes,” Macklin noted.
Improving Team Dynamics and Patient Trust
Macklin’s research indicates that fostering kindness within health care teams can improve communication, enhance trust, and positively impact patient safety. This insight stems from her personal experiences navigating the health care system with her unwell child.
“What affected us most wasn’t the kindness shown to us, but the dynamics within the health care teams. Conflicts, poor communication, and lack of collaboration among team members had the biggest impact on our outcomes,” she shared.
Conversely, witnessing effective teamwork strengthened her family’s sense of safety and trust.
The Broader Impact of Kindness in Health Care
Macklin’s findings align with larger studies showing that unkind behaviors—such as rude communication or lack of clarity—are major contributors to patient harm events. She argues that creating organizational cultures that prioritize kindness is critical.
“Kindness improves patient experiences and outcomes, including safety, engagement, and reduced hospital readmissions,” Macklin said.
Her next research steps involve global surveys and interviews with health care professionals to explore how kindness can be systematically integrated into health care systems.
A Serious Tool for Better Health Outcomes
While kindness may appear to be a “soft” concept, Macklin emphasized its serious implications. “It’s a powerful tool for enhancing patient safety, experiences, and outcomes,” she said.
The study underscores the potential for kindness to reshape health care, fostering not just better relationships among professionals but also improved patient care.
For more details, see Macklin’s study, Kindness: Poor Cousin or Equal Kin to Compassion and Empathy in the Healthcare Literature? A Scoping Review, published in BMJ Leader.
