The Emotional Anatomy of Diagnosis: A Medical Humanities Approach to Empathy in Pathology

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Pathology is often perceived as a technical medical specialty that lacks direct contact with the patient. However, oncological histopathological diagnosis requires a high degree of moral and emotional responsibility. The objective of this study was to investigate how empathy is manifested toward the "invisible" patient, the emotional impact on pathology staff, and potential repercussions in their personal lives. Method: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative component, using an anonymous 22-item questionnaire among Romanian pathologists and medical personnel working in pathology services. The questionnaire was focused on three research directions: professional empathy in the absence of direct patient contact, the emotional impact of oncologic diagnosis on medical personnel in pathology departments, and the carryover of emotions from professional to personal life. A total of 165 respondents were included in the study (physicians, technicians, registrars). Results: Most of the respondents consider that the absence of the patient's direct contact does not cancel the empathy, this being felt in a cognitive and more natural way. Over 60% of the respondents see oncologic histopathological diagnosis as an emphatic medical act. Over 80% of the respondents experience a sense of emotional responsibility and 70% consider that professional training does not include adequate emotional support. There is a high interest in empathy and psychological support. The professional activity of a pathologist may influence sleep, dreams, and the perception on their own health status. Diagnosing pediatric or young patients is perceived as particularly emotionally challenging. Collegial support is moderate and discussion about professional stress is rare. Conclusions: Empathy is present and relevant in pathology, despite the absence of direct patient interaction. Oncological diagnostics has a significant emotional impact on pathology department personnel, with the need to acknowledge the emotional dimension of the profession and to integrate psychological support mechanisms into pathology practice.

Keywords: emotional well-being; empathy; medical humanities; medical personnel; pathology.

Figure 1

Research direction: Professional empathy in the absence of direct patient contact. (A). Perception of the impact of the absence of direct patient contact on the level of professional empathy among respondents. (B). Perception of the empathic nature of the diagnostic act in the absence of direct patient interaction among respondents. (C). The professional’s relationship with the patient during the histopathological process among respondents. (D). The need to understand the patient’s biographical dimension in histopathological analysis among respondents. (E). Perception of the degree of professional training in managing the emotional impact of medical practice among respondents. (F). The importance attributed to empathy in the professional practice of pathologists among respondents.

Figure 2

Research direction: The emotional impact of oncologic diagnosis on medical personnel in pathology departments. (A). Experience of emotional responsibility associated with establishing an oncologic diagnosis among respondents. (B). Perceived need for specialized psychological support among pathology department staff according to respondents. (C). Frequency of emotional impact in cases of complex or advanced oncologic diagnoses among respondents. (D). Perception of the existence of moral distress in professional practice among respondents.

Figure 3

Research direction: The emotional impact of oncologic diagnosis on medical personnel in pathology departments. (A). Evaluation of collegial support in the context of emotional challenges of the profession among respondents. (B). Perception of empathy’s influence on diagnostic objectivity among respondents. (C). Frequency and openness of discussions regarding the emotional impact of professional activity within the team according to respondents. (D). Interest in participating in training programs on empathy development and psychological support among respondents.

Figure 4

Research Direction: The carryover of emotions from professional to personal life. (A). Assessment of the emotional impact of professional activity on personal life among respondents. (B). Influence of professional activity on sleep and dream content among respondents. (C). Changes in self-perception of personal health following frequent exposure to oncologic cases among respondents. (D). Emotional reactions to establishing a cancer diagnosis in pediatric or young patients among respondents. (E). Willingness to recommend the profession of pathologist in light of awareness of its emotional burden among respondents.