Dissemination of the EmpathicO communication e-learning tool for Primary Care Clinicians to enhance clinical empathy in consultations [Ends 14th December 2026]
EmpathicO is a brief (approx. 1 hr) rigorously developed evidence-based tool to help primary care clinicians (e.g. GPs, Physios and practice nurses) enhance their communication in consultations. It focusses on enhancing empathy and realistic positive communication and is suitable for all clinicians.
Clinicians who undertook EmpathicO in the NIHR SPCR TIP (Talking in Practice) trial (1682 patients, 233 clinicians from 53 GP surgeries) highly valued it saying it was relevant, accessible and do-able within busy clinical practice. They felt it improved their consultations with patients without increasing consultation length. No differences were seen in patient outcomes such as pain, but sustained measurable improvements in clinicians’ self-efficacy to express empathy and realistic positivity in were found and it was safe and cost effective.
EmpathicO available free here: talkinginpractice.org
We aim to disseminate it widely and collect feedback on it's use in clinical practice.
Who can participate
All primary care clinicians including GPs, GP registrars, primary care physiotherapists, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Primary care pharmacists
What is involved for participants
They will receive a link to EmpathicO on the talkinginpractice.org website and do the e-learning which consists of 3 brief online modules and some reflections on their recent consultations and setting goals on any changes they would like to make to enhance their consulting practice. It takes about 1 hour in total (it can be done in several sittings). They will complete a few short questions at the end of the e-learning.
How to participate or express an interest
👉We would like PACT to disseminate the talkinginpractice.org link and potential participants can self-register to take part
Benefits for participants?
This evidence-based tool was developed especially for primary care clinicians. In the TIP study it received very good feedback that it was useful relevant and could be incorporated in everyday clinician consultations to enhance communication without increasing consultation length. Thus hopefully, participants will find it interesting and useful for their clinical practice.
Deadline for responses
14th December 2026
Contact for further information
Professor Hazel Everitt, Professor of Primary Care Research, University of Southampton
Email: hae1@soton.ac.uk
