Compassion is an important element of taking care of a patient. This idea is deeper than the concept of empathy because it also includes the will to provide the patient with competent help. Opponents of compassion emphasize its negative impact on objective medical judgment and connect it with the risk of emotional burnout. Compassion plays a special role in end-of-life care, where the grea­test accumulation of suffering takes place. Teaching of compassion is based on protecting already possessed empathy, and relies on developing imagination more than strengthening of emotions.