Having back pain? A kind doctor makes all the difference

Researchers found that patients suffering from back pain have much better results if treated by a ‘very empathetic’ doctor. — dpa

Empathetic doctors are better at relieving back pain than indifferent or aloof practitioners, according to research by United States-based scientists.

A team from Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Texas found that patients ended up with “significantly better and clinically-relevant outcomes pertaining to pain, function and health-related quality of life” after seeing “very empathetic” physicians, compared to others who saw “slightly empathetic” doctors.