We suppress empathetic feelings when thinking analytically, says Anthony Jack

Why it’s so difficult for physicians to be empathetic and analytic at the same time

Medical EconomicsAnthony Jack, assistant professor of cognitive science, philosophy and psychology, discussed why physicians struggle to balance empathy with analytic thinking during patient visits. In the interview, Jack said we know that when we engage in analytic thinking—such as making a medical diagnosis—we suppress brain areas involved in thinking about others’ experiences.