Empathy an Essential Pedagogy and Need for Incorporation of Empathy in Higher Education Curricula- Perspective of Veterinarians

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, stepping into their shoes to comprehend their experiences. Empathy is a requisite clinical skill for health professionals including Veterinary professionals for better client compliance and success. In India, where diversity is a strength, fostering empathy becomes a tool for harmonious and inclusive society to fulfill vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, with Indic priorities. A comprehensive questionnaire was designed to collect the perspectives of Veterinary students on the importance of empathy; challenges and ways to improve empathy in Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Profession. Majority of Internship students of P.V.Narsimha Rao Telangana State Veterinary University, Telangana have positively expressed the need for empathy as an essential pedagogy for strengthening their Educational curricula to make better and positive outcomes while dealing their patients and clients. Our study has found that there is a need for structural changes in higher educational curricula and cultivating empathy among teachers for shaping individuals into compassionate and socially responsible citizens. Integrating empathy into education is not just a desirable trait but a necessity for fostering a harmonious and inclusive society.