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The risk of empty empathy talk and challenges of automated empathy in healthcare communication

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Recent studies indicate that large language models outperform humans in empathic performance within text-based healthcare communication. Yet, promoting automated empathy risks fostering "empty empathy talk"-language devoid of relational depth and embodied meaning. Uncritical reliance on automated empathy may weaken clinicians' empathic skills and impair relational quality in patient care, underscoring the need to safeguard authentic empathy in future healthcare through reflective strategies.

Source: npj Digital Medicine

DOI: 10.1038/s41746-026-02574-w

Authors: Elisabeth Assing Hvidt, Patrick Cairns, Line Maria Simonsen

Institutions: University of Southern Denmark, University of Oslo

Language: English

Topic: Empathy and Medical Education

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,090