Patient perceptions of physician empathy, satisfaction with physician, interpersonal trust, and compliance

Mohammadreza Hojat,Fred Markham,Joseph S Gonnella,Daniel Z Louis,Richard Wender,Kaye Maxwell

doi:10.5116/ijme.4d00.b701

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate psychometric properties of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and to examine correlations between its scores and measures of overall satisfaction with physicians, personal trust, and indicators of patient compliance.Methods: Research participants included 535 out-patients (between 18-75 years old, 66% female). A survey was mailed to participants which included the JSPPPE (5-item), a scale for measuring overall satisfaction with the primary care physician (10-item), and demographic questions. Patients were also asked about compliance with their physician’s recommendation for preventive tests (colonoscopy, mammogram, and PSA for age and gender appropriate patients).Results: Factor analysis of the JSPPPE resulted in one prominent component. Corrected item-total score correlations ranged from .88 to .94. Correlation between scores of the JSPPPE and scores on the patient satisfaction scale was 0.93. Scores of the JSPPPE were highly correlated with measures of physician-patient trust (r >.73). Higher scores of the JSPPPE were significantly associated with physicians’ recommendations for preventive tests (colonoscopy, mammogram, and PSA) and with compliance rates which were > .80). Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the JSPPPE ranged from .97 to .99 for the total sample and for patients in different gender and age groups.Conclusions: Empirical evidence supported the psychometrics of the JSPPPE, and confirmed significant links with patients’ satisfaction with their physicians, interpersonal trust, and compliance with physicians’ recommendations. Availability of this psychometrically sound instrument will facilitate empirical research on empathy in patient care in different countries.

Highlights

A few years ago, we developed a brief scale (5-item), the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), in response to a need for a psychometrically sound instrument for that purpose
Findings of this study provide strong evidence in support of the psychometrics of the JSPPPE
Concurrent validity of the scale was supported by significant correlations with scores of the patient satisfaction scale, willingness to recommend the physician to family and friends, and other indicators of interpersonal trust between patients and physicians

Summary

Introduction

Empathy in the context of patient care is defined as a predominantly cognitive attribute that involves an understanding of patients’ experiences, concerns, and perspectives, combined with a capacity to communicate this understanding, and an intention to help.[1,2,3] A key notion in this definition is the communication of understanding which implies that the patient should perceive his/her physician’s empathy to better benefit from optimal outcomes.[4,5,6]. Despite the importance of empathic engagement in patient care[1,2,3,4,5,6] empirical research on its link with patient outcomes is scarce. One reason for scarcity of research on the topic was a lack of a valid and reliable instrument to measure patient perceptions of physician empathy.

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Conclusion