Compassion in trauma care with Dr. Paul Atkinson

In this trauma-ing episode, we sit down with Dr. Paul Atkinson to explore compassionomics—the science behind why compassion matters in healthcare. Dr. Atkinson breaks down the critical differences between sympathy, empathy, and compassion, and explains how compassion goes beyond feeling to action. We discuss the growing evidence that compassionate care improves patient outcomes, strengthens trust in our trauma system, and enhances team performance. Importantly, he also reframes compassion as a protective strategy for clinicians, showing how it can reduce moral distress and help guard against burnout rather than contribute to it. This episode is a timely reminder that compassion is not a soft skill, but a measurable, system-level intervention that benefits patients and providers alike.