The Dean of the School of Medical Sciences at KNUST, Prof. Akwasi Antwi-Kusi, has encouraged medical and dental students to place compassion and empathy at the heart of patient care, in addition to maintaining high professional standards. According to him, patients often seek medical attention during some of the most challenging periods of their lives, making clear communication, empathy and reassurance critical components of effective healthcare delivery.
He made these remarks during the third White Coat Ceremony for students of the KNUST School of Medical Sciences and the School of Dentistry, which was held under the theme, “Embracing the White Coat: A Commitment to Compassion, Integrity and Excellence in Patient Care.”
He urged the students to reflect on how their attitudes and interactions influence patients’ experiences, emphasising that medical expertise alone was insufficient to provide quality healthcare.
“Never allow competence to overshadow compassion. You will learn to diagnose, perform surgeries, resuscitate patients and prescribe medication. But patients experience you as a person, not just through your knowledge. Sometimes, the most effective medicine is simply reassuring a patient by acknowledging their fears, explaining their condition and assuring them of your support throughout their treatment.
“Ask yourself, if this were my father, how would I want him to be treated? Treat every patient as you would a member of your own family,” he said. He noted that medical practice went beyond diagnosing illnesses and administering treatment, requiring healthcare professionals to be attentive to the emotional needs of patients and their families. “Medicine is not just about the actions doctors take; it is also about how patients and their families feel. Empathy is not a sign of weakness but an essential aspect of professionalism,” he added.
