Compassion and primary health care
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World Health Organization
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iv, 19 p.
This discussion paper explores the role of compassion as a foundational value and driving force within primary health care (PHC) and health systems strengthening. Developed by WHO in collaboration with the Task Force for Global Health, the publication synthesizes findings from a multi-year exploration of compassion in global health, including discussions from the Global Health Compassion Rounds and virtual convenings on PHC. It examines compassion as a multidimensional concept involving awareness of suffering, empathy and action, and highlights its relevance to quality of care, health equity, leadership, workforce well-being and people-centred health services. The paper also analyses how compassion aligns with the strategic and operational levers of the WHO Operational Framework for Primary Health Care. The publication discusses practical applications of compassion across PHC-oriented health systems, including service delivery, workforce development, leadership, policy-making, quality improvement and community engagement. It reviews barriers to compassion in health care, such as burnout, time pressures, organizational cultures and power imbalances, and emphasizes the importance of supportive environments and compassionate leadership. The document further outlines opportunities for strengthening compassion through awareness-raising, professional development, policy reform and research, positioning compassion as an essential component of equitable, integrated and high-quality PHC systems.
This discussion paper explores the role of compassion as a foundational value and driving force within primary health care (PHC) and health systems strengthening. Developed by WHO in collaboration with the Task Force for Global Health, the publication synthesizes findings from a multi-year exploration of compassion in global health, including discussions from the Global Health Compassion Rounds and virtual convenings on PHC. It examines compassion as a multidimensional concept involving awareness of suffering, empathy and action, and highlights its relevance to quality of care, health equity, leadership, workforce well-being and people-centred health services. The paper also analyses how compassion aligns with the strategic and operational levers of the WHO Operational Framework for Primary Health Care. The publication discusses practical applications of compassion across PHC-oriented health systems, including service delivery, workforce development, leadership, policy-making, quality improvement and community engagement. It reviews barriers to compassion in health care, such as burnout, time pressures, organizational cultures and power imbalances, and emphasizes the importance of supportive environments and compassionate leadership. The document further outlines opportunities for strengthening compassion through awareness-raising, professional development, policy reform and research, positioning compassion as an essential component of equitable, integrated and high-quality PHC systems.