A Cross-Sectional Study of Empathy Among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Students in Cyberjaya

Abstract

Introduction: Empathy is a key psychological quality in current and future healthcare providers’ performance. Thus, fostering empathy in healthcare students has become a crucial component of their curriculum. Objective: This study attempted to compare empathy levels between healthcare and non-healthcare students and identify associated factors. Methods: The questionnaires used to collect the data which included the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a self-reported sociodemographic inventory were completed by 311 students within Cyberjaya by convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and One-Way ANOVA were conducted for data analysis with a significant p-value of <0.05. Results: The mean empathy score for healthcare students was significantly higher compared to non-healthcare students (p = 0.043). Empathy was also seen to be significantly associated with gender, female, family background, and self-esteem (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in self-esteem between healthcare and non-healthcare students. Conclusion: Hence, it is evident that students of healthcare studies exhibit more empathy compared to non-healthcare regardless of the multiple factors explored in this paper. Nevertheless, empathy prevails as an important value to be taken into account by healthcare educators to instill this value in those majoring in this field to create a more warm and welcoming healthcare industry for the people.