Redefining Compassion in Healthcare: Insights from Dr. Jud Brewer
Empathizing with someone's pain activates your brain pain networks, whereas compassion activates brain regions associated with reward, love and connection, and this difference shows up in the body and the mind.
Ever felt drained by the emotional weight of your patients' suffering? Dr. Jud Brewer, an addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist, understands this struggle all too well. In this episode, he sheds light on a game-changing concept: the shift from empathy to compassion in healthcare. While empathy might make you feel connected to your patients, it can also lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Dr. Brewer argues that compassion is the key to sustainable caregiving.
By feeling patients' pain without taking it on personally, healthcare professionals can stay engaged and effective without sacrificing their own well-being. He breaks down the neuroscience behind this approach, explaining how compassion activates brain regions linked to reward and connection, offering a more balanced way to support patients. This episode isn't just for healthcare providers; it's a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how to help others without losing themselves in the process.
Tune in to discover practical tips and exercises that can help you cultivate compassion and avoid burnout.