Define empathy in the context of PT practice.

• A. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
• B. The capacity to diagnose
• C. The capacity to memorize
• D. The ability to perform tasks

Answer: (B)

Empathy in PT is the ability to understand and share the patient’s feelings and experiences, and to communicate that understanding in a respectful, validating way. In practice, this means listening actively, reflecting back emotions, and adjusting the plan to fit the patient’s goals and concerns. This relational skill helps build trust and enables patient-centered care, which can improve motivation and adherence. It’s not about diagnosing, memorizing, or just performing tasks—those are different PT competencies.