Compassionomics: Translating Evidence-Informed Patient-Centered Care to the Allergy Immunology Clinic.

Abstract

The quadruple aim of healthcare is to improve the health care experience for patients, populations, and clinicians while also controlling health care costs. Evidence-based and evidence-informed medicine are critical in achieving these goals. However, the receipt and acceptance of evidence-based medicine are maximized (and often only possible) when accompanied by compassion. Expressing compassion can be communicated through 4 central themes: acknowledgment, partnership, empowerment, and commitment. "Compassionomics" refers to the value of compassion in achieving the quadruple aim of health care, wherein genuine human connection between patient and clinician is the currency which "opens the door" so that evidence-based medicine can be implemented, often in a shared decision making capacity. Although difficult to quantify and often perceived as time-consuming, compassionate care improves the efficacy of health care interactions, likely saving time and improving long-term outcomes. Whereas compassion comes naturally to some individuals, it is nevertheless a skill that can be taught and refined. Implementation of compassionomics into clinical care can be challenging, although implementation sciences offers novel approaches to make this possible.