Byrne, MonikaCampos, CarlosDaly, SvetlanaLok, BenjaminMiles, Anna2025-04-032025-04-032024-02(2024). Patient Education and Counseling, 119, 108063.0738-3991https://hdl.handle.net/2292/71751<h4>Objectives</h4>This umbrella review consolidates evidence available on empathy training, its effectiveness and design mechanisms that contribute to effectiveness.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted an umbrella review (review of reviews) of empathy, compassion and person-centred communication training in healthcare published between 2018 and 2022. One reviewer screened titles, abstracts and full-text articles, with a second reviewer at full-text stage. Quality appraisal was done in duplicate. Data extraction was piloted by two reviewers and conducted by one reviewer with a quality check of all extracted data. All reviewers provided input into synthesis of results and analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Twenty-five reviews were included. We provide an overview of the definitions of empathy, compassion and person-centred communication, outcome measures used, a synthesis of findings on the mechanisms and effectiveness of training and a summary of review recommendations.<h4>Conclusions</h4>For policy and practice, we advise the inclusion of empathic communication into the curriculum; longitudinal and sequenced learning; debriefing, targeted feedback, enabling self-reflection, deliberate practice, experiential learning; improving motivation by teaching the benefits of empathy and teaching sustainable empathy. Future research should involve patients in training and research and study the effect of targeting interventions at healthcare practitioners and patients.Print-ElectronicItems in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htmHumansCommunicationEmpathyProblem-Based LearningCurriculumDelivery of Health CareCompassionHealthcarePatient-centred communicationPerson-centred communicationTraining4203 Health Services and Systems42 Health Sciences8.1 Organisation and delivery of servicesScience & TechnologySocial SciencesLife Sciences & BiomedicinePublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthSocial Sciences, InterdisciplinarySocial Sciences - Other TopicsINTERVENTIONSEDUCATIONMETAANALYSISSKILLS11 Medical and Health Sciences17 Psychology and Cognitive SciencesJournal Article10.1016/j.pec.2023.108063Copyright: The authors38008647 (pubmed)1873-5134S0738-3991(23)00444-5Attribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/