Research shows the capacity to put ourselves in someone else's shoes is crucial to our ability to live among and relate to others. Studies show that empathy can especially make a difference in health care, notably among patients who suffer from chronic and/or life threatening disease.

With this in mind, more providers and hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic, whose ethos is based on caring for the patient's mind, body and soul, are building empathy into the DNA of their operations - from staff hires to building design to team structure. Cleveland Clinic aims to be "a relationship-centered culture founded on the concept of empathy," said Adrienne Boissy, MD, MA, Chief Experience Officer. This commitment to empathy is especially prominent in the new Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, which has been designed and staffed with patient comfort and well-being at the forefront.

The hospital has been a trailblazer in this area among health care systems nationwide, and was the first to hire a chief patient experience officer to its executive leadership. Boissy heads a team of 100 caregivers who are dedicated to all aspects of the patient experience.

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