Anesthesiologist Training in Empathetic Communication for Obstetric Emergencies Improves Patient-reported Outcomes

( Anesthesiology . 2025; 142:761–3. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005353) Childbirth can be perceived as a traumatic event for many patients, with studies suggesting that 1.5% to 9% of new mothers experience postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The difficulty in recognizing obstetric trauma lies in the fact that it is often shaped more by the mother’s perception of care than by obvious clinical complications. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization underscores the importance of respectful maternity care, which requires compassionate and effective communication as part of trauma-informed approaches. Similarly, the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes trauma-informed care as grounded in 3 principles: ensuring safety, cultivating trust and connection, and supporting emotional regulation of health care professionals. Empathetic communication aligns with these principles, and training clinicians in such techniques has been shown to improve both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Yet, despite its importance, anesthesiology residents rarely receive formal instruction in empathetic communication.