Which term describes wanting to relieve someone's suffering?

The term that best describes the desire to relieve someone's suffering is compassion. Compassion entails not only recognizing that someone is in pain but also feeling motivated to help alleviate that suffering. It goes beyond simply understanding or sharing feelings; it involves a proactive response to support and assist those in distress.

In the context of patient experience, compassion plays a critical role in healthcare settings, where providers are often faced with individuals who are experiencing physical or emotional challenges. Compassionate care fosters a deeper connection between healthcare professionals and patients, enhancing the overall healing experience.

While sympathy involves understanding someone's situation and feeling concern for them, it does not inherently include the motivation to take action. Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, but it may not carry the same sense of urgency or desire to help as compassion does. Pity can imply a sense of condescension or detachment, focusing more on feeling sorry for someone rather than engaging with them in a way that seeks to relieve their suffering.

Thus, compassion stands out as the most accurate term because it encapsulates both an emotional response and an actionable intention to support others in their time of need.