In nearly every intensive care unit (ICU) at every pediatric hospital across the country, physicians hold numerous care conferences with patients’ family members daily. Due to the challenging nature of many these conversations–covering anything from unexpected changes to care plans for critically ill children to whether it’s time to consider withdrawing life support–these talks tend to be highly emotional. That’s why physician empathy is especially important, says Tessie W. October, M.D., M.P.H., critical care specialist at Children’s National Health System.

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