Abstract
Compassion can be defined as the desire to relieve suffering in others. Since the purpose of medicine is to relieve or prevent suffering, training in compassion can be a way of training in perfecting the purpose of medicine. However, our current relationship with compassion can lead to compassion fatigue, or a feeling that we can’t keep up our compassion at a high level. When compassion is based on having to try to be kind to every patient and family, one can naturally wear out. However, we all have a natural compassion that is most easily expressed when our minds are relaxed. Therefore, training in having a relaxed mind can lead to a more stable and effortless compassion. This in turn will enrich the lives of those who depend on us for care and can make our medical practice feel more meaningful. Helping to relieve suffering is a virtuous pursuit and taking joy in doing that can prevent burnout and give meaning and purpose to our lives. The overall effect is less fatigue at work and easier relationships with everyone around us.
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Shlim, D.R. (2023). Compassion, Meaning, and Purpose in Medicine. In: Webber, S., Babal, J., Moreno, M.A. (eds) Understanding and Cultivating Well-being for the Pediatrician. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10843-3_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10843-3_11
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