QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF EMPATHY AND ANALYSIS OF ITS CORRELATION TO CLINICAL FACTORS IN KOREAN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Objective: We aim to evaluate empathy using the Korean Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure in patients from various clinical environments and the factors influencing the degree of empathy in patients with hypertension. Design and method: Empathy is the core of the physician-patient relationship. The CARE measure is a useful tool for assessing patient-rated empathy. There have been scarce data on empathy in hypertension patients in Korea. We aim to evaluate empathy using the Korean CARE measure in patients from various clinical environments and the factors influencing the degree of empathy in patients with hypertension. Data were collected from patients with hypertension. Patients were from primary, secondary, and tertiary clinics. Characteristics of the patients, physicians, and disease status were collected. The difference in CARE score was studied according to the clinical factors. Results: A total of 143 patients with hypertension were included. About 60% of patients were male. The mean age was 62. They had an average number of 2.6 comorbid diseases. More than half of patients experienced overt cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, and coronary heart disease. About half of them had a history of hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease. The overall average CARE score was 45.6±7.0. The CARE score was not significantly different according to the characteristics of the patient, physician, or disease status. This trend was maintained in hypertensive patients. Conclusions: The Korean CARE measure could assess patient-rated empathy in various clinical practices. The empathy of patients was high regardless of multiple factors.