Jefferson Scale Of Patient Perceptions Of Physician Empathy Research Articles

Impact of a longitudinal course on medical professionalism on the empathy of medical students

ObjectiveMedical education should enhance empathy. We examined, using self-assessment instruments and standardized patients (SPs), the impact on empathy, of a multi-year intervention (years 4–6 of medical training) that uses reflective learning approaches. Methods241 final-year medical students participated; 110 from the 2018 graduation class (non-intervention group) and 131 from the 2019 graduation class (intervention group). Participants completed two self-reported empathy questionnaires – the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Students (JSE-S) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) – and a personality questionnaire, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Additionally, SPs in a simulated station assessed participants’ empathy with two patient-reported instruments: the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale and the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE). ResultsEmpathy scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the non-intervention group when assessed by the SP (p < 0.001). No differences were found in self-reported questionnaires between the two groups. ConclusionA longitudinal, multi-year reflection-based intervention enhanced empathy amongst medical students as assessed by SPs, but not when assessed by student self-reported measures. Practice ImplicationsMulti-year reflective learning interventions during clinical training nurture empathy in medical students. Assessments completed by SPs or patients may enhance the evaluation of empathy.

Validation of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perception of Physician Empathy Spanish (Spain) Version in Primary Care.

Empathy is considered a prerequisite for a successful physician-patient relationship. The Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) is a regularly-used, patient-rated measure of physician empathy. The aim of this study is to translate and analyze the reliability and validity of the JSPPPE Spanish (Spain) version (Sp-JSPPPE) in primary care in order to use it with medical trainees. After translation and back translation of the JSPPPE, 369 patients from 21 primary care physicians in Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) completed the Sp-JSPPPE, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Spanish (Spain) Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure (Sp-CARE), and a question about overall satisfaction. We studied internal reliability (Cronbach's α and ordinal α), homogeneity (corrected item-total correlations), construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]) and concurrent validity (Spearman's correlation) of Sp-JSPPPE. Cronbach's α and ordinal α were 0.870 and 0.919, respectively, for the Sp-JSPPPE, and all corrected item-total correlations exceeded the accepted cutoff of 0.30, demonstrating high internal reliability and homogeneity. CFA corroborated the one-factor structure proposed in the original version. The total score for the Sp-JSPPPE was significantly correlated with sp-CARE (Spearman's ϱ 0.651, P&lt;.001) and with overall patient satisfaction (Spearman's ϱ 0.504, P&lt;.001). The results support the reliability and validity of the Sp-JSPPPE in primary care. Sp-JSPPPE could be useful in empathy assessment of medical trainees, both graduate and postgraduate, in the Spanish context.

The Intricate Relationship Between Client Perceptions of Physician Empathy and Physician Self-Assessment: Lessons for Reforming Clinical Practice.

Objectives: Clinical empathy is an important predictor of patient outcomes. Several factors affect physician’s empathy and client perceptions. We aimed to assess the association between physician and client perception of clinical empathy, accounting for client, physician, and health system factors. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study in 3 departments (family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery) of King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We interviewed 30 physicians and 390 clients from 3 departments. Physicians completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and the clients responded to the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE). We used a hierarchical multilevel generalized structural equation approach to model factors associated with JSE and JSPPPE and their inter-relationship. Results: Mean (SD) score of client-rated physician empathy was 26.6 (6) and that of physician self-rated was 111 (12.8). We found no association between the 2 (b = 0.06; 95% confidence intervals CI: −0.1, 0.21), even after adjusting for client, physician, and health system factors. Physician's nationality (0.49; 0.12, 0.85), adequate consultation time (1.05; 0.72, 1.38), and trust (1.33; 0.9, 1.75) were positively associated whereas chronic disease (−0.32; −0.56, −0.07) and higher waiting times (−0.26; −0.47, −0.05) were negatively associated. Conclusion: A physician's self-assessed empathy does not correlate with clients’ perception. We recommend training and monitoring to enhance clinical empathy.

Physician empathy and patient enablement: survey in the Portuguese primary health care.

BackgroundEmpathy is the capacity to understand and resonate with the experiences of other people. Patient enablement is the degree to which a patient feels strengthened in terms of being able to deal with, understand and manage their disease.MethodsSecondary cross-sectional analysis of existing data from 2 independent datasets (456 primary health care patients), with the application of two validated questionnaires, Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI).ObjectiveEvaluate medical empathy and patients’ enablement after consultation with their family doctors and to verify if there was an association between these two concepts.ResultsThe median value of JSPPPE-VP score was 6.60 (interquartile range 1.00) and of PEI/ICC score was of 1.83 (interquartile range 0.67). Regarding empathy (JSPPPE-VP), patients taking chronic medication had a slight but significantly higher median score than patients not taking them (6.70 versus 6.60, P = 0.049), although regression modelling did not confirm any relevant predictor of JSPPPE-VP score. Regarding enablement (PEI/ICC), we found significantly higher scores on younger patients, as well as, on more educated and professionally active ones (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression modelling confirmed such variables as statistically significant potential predictors.ConclusionsA significant positive association was found between empathy score (JSPPPE-VP) and enablement score (PEI/ICC), when adjusted to sociodemographic cofactors. On this linear regression model, age category and educational level were also significantly associated with empathy score, with the same pattern found on bivariate analysis.

59. FAMILY-CENTERED COMMUNICATION: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESIDENT RESPONSE TO COMMUNICATION TRAINING

Background Pediatricians must utilize effective communication skills to establish a relationship with both their patients and their patients’ families. We modified the Erikson Institute Fussy Baby Network's FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions) communication tool to teach pediatric residents to communicate with families using an empathy-driven process. Objective Improve pediatric residents’ empathy, communication skills, and mindful self-regulation in their interactions with families. Design Eighteen pediatric residents from 1 institution and 7 pediatric fellows from another were trained to use the FAN Family Communication Tool to guide their clinical encounters and were followed for 6 months. At 3 time points (0, 3, and 6 months) patients completed the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) surveys, and trainees completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS). At the end of the study 11 residents and mentors were interviewed, and transcripts were coded on NVivo software using open and focused coding. Results Residents demonstrated a rise in scores on the JSPE (p=0.044) and the KIMS (p Conclusions Family-centered communication training can improve physician-perceived empathy and mindfulness. Trainees used the FAN to develop a comprehensive view of a family's concerns by understanding and engaging with their emotions. Improved self-awareness allowed trainees to process their emotions to reduce stress and improve communication during encounters. Increasing empathetic and mindful interactions during patient encounters could thus improve clinical outcomes and ultimately benefit patient well-being.

Validation of a Modified Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Observers to Assess Trainees.

"Demonstrate insight and understanding into emotion" is a competency amenable to simulation-based assessment. The Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) has validity evidence for patients to assess provider empathy. A version adapted for a third-party observers does not exist. Our aim was to modify the JSPPPE and use recorded standardized encounters to obtain validity evidence. This cross-sectional study used video and data collected from 2 pediatric residencies. In 2018, 4 raters reviewed 24 videos of 12 interns communicating with standardized patients (SP) in 2 encounters and completed a modified JSPPE for observers (JSEO). Reliability between raters was established using Intraclass Correlations (ICC). JSEO mean scores were correlated to Essential Elements of Communication (EEC), JSPPPE, and faculty composite interpersonal communication (IC) scores using Spearman Rank. The mean ICC for all 4 raters was 0.573 (0.376-0.755). When ICC was calculated for pairs of raters, Rater 1 was an outlier. ICCs for mean scores for pairs among the 3 remaining raters was 0.81 to 0.84. Mean JSEO scores from the four raters correlated with the JSPPPE (rho=0.45, P=.03) and IC (rho=0.68, P < .001), but not the EEC (rho=0.345, P=.1). We found validity evidence for the use of a modified JSPPPE for an observer to assess empathy in a recorded encounter with a SP. This may be useful as medical educators shift toward competency-based tracking. The brevity of this tool and potential assessment using video are also appealing.

Visit Duration Does Not Correlate with Perceived Physician Empathy.

Perceived physician empathy is a strong driver of patient satisfaction. We assessed the influence of wait time, time spent with the surgeon, and surgeon stress level on the way patients rated surgeon empathy. One hundred and fourteen patients visiting 1 of 6 participating surgeons were prospectively enrolled in the study. We recorded patient demographics and assessed the patient rating of perceived physician empathy. Time waiting for the surgeon and time spent with the surgeon were measured with use of ambulatory tracking systems and by research assistants with stopwatches outside the patient rooms. Patient ratings of surgeon empathy were assessed with use of the Jefferson Scale of Patient's Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and surgeon stress level was assessed with use of the Perceived Stress Score short form. The mean wait time was 30 ± 18 minutes, and the mean time spent with the surgeon was 8.7 ± 5.3 minutes. Two separate multilevel linear regression models were used to compare factors associated with the JSPPPE and time spent with the surgeon. Neither time spent with the surgeon nor wait time was independently associated with perceived physician empathy; being male, having at least a post-college graduate degree, and higher self-reported surgeon stress levels were independently associated with less perceived empathy. More time spent with the surgeon was independently associated with lower self-reported surgeon stress levels; follow-up visits and visits for a traumatic condition were independently associated with less time spent with the surgeon. The results of the present study show that improved communication strategies, rather than shorter wait time or increased time spent with the patient, may increase patient satisfaction. This should be a focus of future research.

Physicians' self-assessed empathy levels do not correlate with patients' assessments.

BackgroundEmpathy is a fundamental humanistic component of patient care which facilitates efficient and patient-centered clinical encounters. Despite being the principal recipient of physician empathy little work on how patients perceive/report receiving empathy from their physicians has been undertaken. In the context of doctor-patient interactions, knowledge about empathy has mostly originated from physicians’ perspectives and has been developed from studies using self-assessment instruments. In general, self-assessment may not correlate well with the reality observed by others.ObjectivesTo investigate: 1—the relationship between physicians’ self-assessed empathy and patients’ measures of physicians’ empathy; 2 –Environmental factors that could influence patients’ perceptions; and 3 –the correlation between two widely used psychometric scales to measure empathy from the perspective of patients.MethodsThis is an observational study which enrolled 945 patients and 51 physicians from radiology, clinical, and surgical specialties. The physicians completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSE) and the International Reactivity Index (IRI), and patients completed the Consultation and Relational Empathy scale (CARE), and the Jefferson Scale of Patient’s Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE).ResultsWe did not observe any significant correlation between total self-assessed empathy and patients’ perceptions. We observed a small correlation (r = 0,3, P<0,05) between the sub-dimension Perspective Taking-JSE and JSPPPE. JSPPPE and CARE had a positive and moderate correlation (0,56; p<0,001). Physicians’ gender and sector influenced the JSPPPE score. Sector, medical specialty and the nature of the appointment (initial versus subsequent) influenced the CARE measure.ConclusionsThe lack of correlation between self-assessed empathy levels and patients’ perceptions suggests patients be included in the process of empathy evaluation.Practice implicationsTraining strategies aiming the development of empathy should include patients’ evaluations and perspectives.

Impact of Empathy in the Patient-Doctor Relationship on Chronic Pain Relief and Quality of Life: A Prospective Study in Spanish Pain Clinics.

To assess the impact of the empathy of physicians, perceived by patients with chronic pain, regarding pain relief and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). A prospective noninterventional study was conducted in 2,898 patients with moderate to severe chronic pain who were referred to pain clinics. The same physician visited each patient at baseline and after one and three months. Study questionnaires included the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), the Pain Coping Questionnaire (CAD-R), the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF), and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent contribution of the changes in perceived empathy over pain intensity and improvement of HR-QoL. BPI-SF scores for pain intensity, rated as worst, least, average, and current pain, decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline to month 3, with reductions of 33.7%, 42.5%, 40.0%, and 46.9%, respectively. Pain intensity decreased from 6.3 ± 1.5 at baseline to 4.7 ± 1.8 at one month and 3.8 ± 1.9 at three months (P < 0.050). Significant (P < 0.001) improvements in the EQ-5D tariff (+37.1%) and EQ-5D VAS (+26.7%) were also recorded. In the linear regression analysis, JSPPPE and LOT-R, but not CAD-R, were significantly associated with pain relief and HR-QoL. Physicians' empathy and patients' dispositional optimism have a role in determining positive outcomes in patients with chronic pain. Physicians' empathy may therefore be a suitable, yet relatively unexplored, target for intervention.

Enhancing Student Empathetic Engagement, History-Taking, and Communication Skills During Electronic Medical Record Use in Patient Care

To examine whether an intervention on proper use of electronic medical records (EMRs) in patient care could help improve medical students' empathic engagement, and to test the hypothesis that the training would reduce communication hurdles in clinical encounters. Seventy third-year medical students from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University were randomly divided into intervention and control groups during their six-week pediatric clerkship in 2012-2013. The intervention group received a one-hour training session on EMR-specific communication skills, including discussion of EMR use, the SALTED mnemonic and technique (Set-up, Ask, Listen, Type, Exceptions, Documentation), and role-plays. Both groups completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) at the clerkship's start and end. At clerkship's end, faculty and standardized patients (SPs) rated students' empathic engagement in SP encounters, using the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and their history-taking and communication skills. Faculty mean ratings on the JSPPPE, history-taking skills, and communication skills were significantly higher for the intervention group than the control group. SP mean ratings on history-taking skills were significantly higher for the intervention group than the control group. Both groups' JSE mean scores increased pretest to posttest, but the changes were not significant. The intervention group's posttest JSE mean score was higher than the control group's, but the difference was not significant. The findings suggest that a simple intervention providing specialized training in EMR-specific communication can improve medical students' empathic engagement in patient care, history-taking skills, and communication skills.

Patient Perceptions of Clinician's Empathy: Measurement and Psychometrics.

The prominence of reciprocal understanding in patient–doctor empathic engagement implies that patient perception of clinician’s empathy has an important role in the assessment of the patient–clinician relationship. In response to a need for an assessment tool to measure patient’s views of clinician empathy, we developed a brief (5-item) instrument, the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE). This review article reports evidence in support of the validity and reliability of the JSPPPE.

Patients' perceptions of argentine physicians' empathy based on the jefferson scale of patient's perceptions of physician empathy: Psychometric data and demographic differences.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a modified Spanish version of the Jefferson Scale of Patient's Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) in Argentine patients and to explore how local demographic characteristics influence patients' perceptions of their physicians' empathy. A survey was conducted in March 2013 among 400 Spanish-speaking outpatients attending three different public or private hospitals of Buenos Aires. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the JSPPPE factor structure, and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate its construct validity. Demographic variables including age, gender, geographic origin, education, health coverage, regular physician-established and patient-perceived health status were used to find what factors may influence empathy rating. The PCA yielded a one-factor model that accounted for 77.5% of the variance, and an adequate model fit was observed with CFA indices. Male and elderly patients, South American descendants, less educated people, and public hospital attendants were associated with a higher JSPPPE score. Patients perceived a lower interest of physicians in their daily problems and a poorer capacity "to stand in their shoes." The JSPPPE provides a valid score to measure patients' perceptions of physician empathy in Argentina. These findings afford insight into Argentine patients' awareness of their doctors' empathic concern; however, JSPPPE scores may be alternatively interpreted in terms of patients' satisfaction or likeability.

Standardized patient assessment of medical student empathy: ethnicity and gender effects in a multi-institutional study.

To examine, primarily, the effects of ethnicity and gender, which could introduce bias into scoring, on standardized patient (SP) assessments of medical students and, secondarily, to examine medical students' self-reported empathy for ethnicity and gender effects so as to compare self-perception with the perceptions of SPs. Participants were 577 students from four medical schools in 2012: 373 (65%) were white, 79 (14%) black/African American, and 125 (22%) Asian/Pacific Islander. These students were assessed by 84 SPs: 62 (74%) were white and 22 (26%) were black/African American. SPs completed the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and the Global Ratings of Empathy tool. Students completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy and two Interpersonal Reactivity Index subscales. The investigators used 2,882 student-SP encounters in their analyses. Analyses of SPs' assessments of students' empathy indicated significant interaction effects of gender and ethnicity. Female students, regardless of ethnicity, obtained significantly higher mean JSPPPE scores than men. Female black/African American, female white, and female Asian/Pacific Islander students scored significantly higher on the JSPPPE than their respective male counterparts. Male black/African American students obtained the lowest SP assessment scores of empathy regardless of SP ethnicity. Black/African American students obtained the highest mean scores on self-reported empathy. The significant interaction effects of ethnicity and gender in clinical encounters, plus the inconsistencies observed between SPs' assessments of students' empathy and students' self-reported empathy, raise questions about possible ethnicity and gender biases in the SPs' assessments of medical students' clinical skills.

Assessing medical student empathy in a family medicine clinical test: validity of the CARE measure

IntroductionThe Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure developed and validated in primary care settings and used for general practitioner appraisal is a 10-item instrument used by patients to assess doctors’ empathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the validity of the CARE measure in assessing medical students’ empathy during a formative family medicine clinical test.MethodAll 158 final-year medical students were assessed by trained simulated patients (SPs) – who completed the CARE measure, the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and a global rating score to assess students’ empathy and history-taking ability.ResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analysis identified a unidimensional structure. The CARE measure strongly correlated with both convergent measures: global rating (ρ=0.79 and <0.001) and JSPPPE (ρ=0.77 and <0.001) and weakly correlated with the divergent measure: history-taking score (ρ=0.28 and <0.001). Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach’s α=0.94).ConclusionThe CARE measure had strong construct and internal reliability in a formative, undergraduate family medicine examination. Its role in higher stakes examinations and other educational settings should be explored.

Critical Synthesis Package: Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE)

OPEN ACCESSAugust 14, 2013Critical Synthesis Package: Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) Lindsey Dorflinger, PhD, Kristina Schumann Lindsey Dorflinger, PhD VA Connecticut Healthcare System Google Scholar More articles by this author , Kristina Schumann VA Connecticut Healthcare System Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9485 SectionsAbout ToolsDownload Citations ShareFacebookTwitterEmail AbstractAbstractThis Critical Synthesis Package contains: (1) a Critical Analysis of the psychometric properties and application to health sciences education of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and (2) a copy of the JSPPPE and supplementary files (i.e., reference materials) developed by Mohammadreza Hojat, PhD.The JSPPPE is a 5-item instrument; response options are presented along a 7-point Likert-type scale with 1 being “strongly disagree” and 7 being “strongly agree.” The measure is completed by patients, and is used to assess physician empathy from the patient's perspective. Scores on the JSPPPE have been shown to correlate with provider self-ratings of empathy using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, as well as other measures and items that tap physician empathy. The measure is brief, easy to use, and appears to demonstrate adequate internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity. Little information is provided by developers regarding the development of the scale, including how specific items and the number of scale items were chosen, and the studies utilizing the measure have used a somewhat restricted sample of physicians (i.e., providers working at the institution at which the instrument was developed). Future studies should examine the psychometric properties and utility of the measure in additional samples. Educational Objectives To describe the purpose and basic properties of the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), including number of items and scales, and psychometric properties;To describe the application of the JSPPPE to the field of health sciences education;To evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the JSPPPE; andTo provide the JSPPPE and supplemental materials to aid in its administration. Sign up for the latest publications from MedEdPORTAL Add your email below FILES INCLUDEDReferencesRelatedDetails FILES INCLUDED Included in this publication: Critical Analysis of the JSPPPE.pdf JSPPPE Instrument.pdf JSPPPE Scoring Instructions.docx To view all publication components, extract (i.e., unzip) them from the downloaded .zip file. Download editor’s noteThis publication may contain technology or a display format that is no longer in use. Copyright & Permissions© 2013 Dorflinger and Schumann. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.KeywordsEmpathyDirectory and Repository of Educational Assessment MeasuresDREAMPhysician-Patient Relations Disclosures None to report. Funding/Support None to report. Loading ...

Medical Studentsʼ Self-Reported Empathy and Simulated Patientsʼ Assessments of Student Empathy: An Analysis by Gender and Ethnicity

To examine the contribution of students' gender and ethnicity to assessments by simulated patients (SPs) of medical students' empathy, and to compare the results with students' self-assessments of their own empathy. In 2008, the authors used three different tools to assess the empathy of 248 third-year medical students. Students completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), and SPs completed the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and a global rating of empathy (GRE) in 10 objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) encounters. Of the 248 students who completed an end-of-third-year OSCE, 176 (71%) also completed the JSPE. Results showed that women scored higher than men on all three measures of empathy. The authors detected no significant difference between white and Asian American students on their self-report JSPE scores. However, the SPs' assessments on the JSPPPE and on the GRE were significantly lower, indicating less empathy, for Asian American students. A tool for SPs to assess students' empathy during an OSCE could be helpful for unmasking some deficits in empathy in students during the third year of medical school. Because the authors found no significant differences on self-reported empathy, the differences they observed in the SPs' assessments of white and Asian American students were unexpected and need further exploration. These findings call for investigation into the reasons for such differences so that OSCEs and other examinations comply with the guidelines for fairness in educational and psychological testing as recommended by professional testing organizations.

A comparison of medical students’ self-reported empathy with simulated patients’ assessments of the students’ empathy

Background: Empathy is necessary for communication between patients and physicians to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.Aim: To examine associations between Simulated Patients’ (SPs) assessment of medical students’ empathy and the students’ self-reported empathy.Methods: A total of 248 third-year medical students completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE). SPs completed the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE), and a global rating of empathy in 10 objective clinical skills examination encounters during a comprehensive end of third-year clinical skills examination.Results: High correlation was found between the scores on the JSPPPE and the global ratings of empathy completed by the SPs (r = 0.87, p < 0.01). A moderate but statistically significant correlation was observed between scores of the JSPE and the JSPPPE (r = 0.19, p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed on the JSPE and global ratings of empathy among top, middle and low scorers on the JSPPPE in the expected direction.Conclusions: While significant associations exist between students’ self-reported scores on the JSPE and SPs’ evaluations of students’ empathy, the associations are not large enough to conclude that the two evaluations are redundant.

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

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.