Mean Empathy Score Research Articles

Training on empathy skills for elderly persons to medical undergraduates: A quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Undergraduate medical students often lack the soft skill of empathy which is considered as an important attribute for doctors. Hence, this study was conducted to improve the empathy skills among undergraduate students of a medical college in Kolkata. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Rural Health Training Centre of a medical college in Kolkata among the undergraduate medical students during community medicine posting. Students were assessed for baseline empathy by Jefferson’s Scale of Empathy (student’s version) (JSE-S). Baseline perception was taken from geriatric persons about the empathy level of medical undergraduates using Jefferson’s Scale of Patient’s Perception about Physician’s Empathy (JSPPE). Training module was prepared, validated and imparted. Post-training score was obtained using the scales for students as well as geriatric persons. Data were entered in MS Excel and analysed using STATA MP16. Results: Total of 93 students participated. Overall Mean ± SD of pre-score of JES-S was 102.03 ± 13.02, and post-score was 109.03 ± 14.57; the difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). With respect to JSPPE, score difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Significant difference was present in scores between the students who prefer people-oriented specialities compared to the technology-oriented specialities (P < 0.05). Increase in mean empathy score was significantly higher among female students than their male counterparts (P = 0.01). Conclusion(s): The study shows the effectiveness of training module in increasing empathy score among medical undergraduates which is the need of the hour to establish the proper building block of doctor-patient relationship.

Empathy, Moral Sensitivity, and Prosocial Behavior Among Medical Undergraduates in a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Institute: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness are critical traits for medical professionals, as they affect patient care quality and ethical decision-making. These traits help address psychological complexities like stress and burnout in medical practice. Despite their importance, the relationships between these traits, especially among medical students, remain underexplored. This study aims to assess empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness among medical students in South India, focusing on gender differences and their associations. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, with 369 medical undergraduates. Data were collected using three standardized tools: the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for empathy, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults. The questionnaire, including demographic data, was administered online with anonymity and consent. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data. Inferential analyses, including t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and multivariate regression, examined relationships between empathy, moral sensitivity, pro-social behavior, and demographics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from Saveetha Medical College's Ethics Committee. The mean age of participants was 20.5 ± 2 years, with 183 males (49.6%) and 186 females (50.4%). The majority were first-year students (29.8%), followed by second-year (19.5%) and final-year part I students (19.2%).Final professional part II students and interns comprised 15.4% and 16%, respectively. Females scored significantly higher in empathy domains like perspective-taking (15 ± 3.3 vs. 14 ± 3.4), fantasy (14.4 ± 4 vs. 13.6 ± 3.3), and empathetic concern (15.3 ± 3.5 vs. 14.2 ± 3.1), with p values <0.05. Overall, 186 females (50.4%) had a mean empathy score of 59 ± 9, compared to 183 males (49.6%) with 56.2 ± 7.1 (Cohen's d = 0.33). In moral sensitivity, females scored higher in modifying autonomy (7 ± 2.3 vs. 6.3 ± 2.2), structuring moral meaning (4.6 ± 2 vs. 4.15 ± 1.6), and expressing benevolence (16 ± 4 vs. 15 ± 4), with significant differences (p < 0.05). The total moral sensitivity score was higher in females (57 ± 10 vs. 54 ± 9), with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.3). Males scored higher in prosocialness, with 183 males (49.6%) scoring 54 ± 7, compared to 186 females (50.4%) with 51.5 ± 7.2 (Cohen's d = 0.3). Weak but significant correlations were found between empathy and prosocialness (r = 0.132, p = 0.011) and between moral sensitivity and prosocialness (r = 0.479, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified gender, prosocial behavior, and specific moral sensitivity dimensions as significant predictors of empathy scores. This study revealed significant gender differences in empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness among medical students. Females scored higher in empathy and moral sensitivity, whereas males showed greater prosocial behavior. The positive correlations between empathy and prosocialness and between moral sensitivity and prosocialness highlight their interconnectedness. Educational interventions that target empathy and moral sensitivity could help nurture more compassionate, ethical healthcare professionals. Future research should explore how these traits evolve throughout medical education.

Cognitive empathy variations during internship: a study from Iran

ObjectiveDespite the critical role of empathy in medical students, various studies have provided conflicting evidence regarding changes in empathy during medical study. The present study was designed to investigate changes in cognitive empathy during the internship.MethodA study was conducted at the Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All medical students at the beginning of their internship were entered the study as a cohort and asked to complete a two-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version (JSE-S). The questionnaire was completed again at the end of the internship. Data were analyzed using SPSS software using paired t- test and one-way repeated measures.ResultsA total of 108 interns participated with a mean age of 23.85 ± 1.47 years, and a female majority (61.1%). The mean score of standing in the patient’s shoe increased significantly (P < 0.001) during the internship, whereas the mean score of compassionate care decreased (P < 0.001). The overall score of empathy decreased during the internship, but the difference was not statistically significant. (P = 0.105). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean score of empathy and its subscales based on demographic characteristics in the two phases of the study.Conclusionour results revealed that the level of cognitive empathy in the current study was higher than that in previous studies. The changes were consistent with some studies and contradictory to others. Considering that similar changes were observed in the subgroup analysis, it is necessary to focus more on the factors that cause this feeling to fade during the internship through appropriate assessment and timely intervention.

Empathy in undergraduate medical students: a multi-center cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundFostering empathy has been continuously emphasized in the global medical education. Empathy is crucial to enhance patient-physician relationships, and is associated with medical students’ academic and clinical performance. However, empathy level of medical students in China and related influencing factors are not clear.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among medical students in 11 universities. We used the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Student-version of Chinese version to measure empathy level of medical students. Factors associated with empathy were identified by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Based on the variables identified above, the nomogram was established to predict high empathy probability of medical students. Receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plot and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and educational utility of the model.ResultsWe received 10,901 samples, but a total of 10,576 samples could be used for further analysis (effective response rate of 97.02%). The mean empathy score of undergraduate medical students was 67.38 (standard deviation = 9.39). Six variables including gender, university category, only child or not, self-perception doctor-patient relationship in hospitals, interest of medicine, Kolb learning style showed statistical significance with empathy of medical students (P < 0.05). Then, the nomogram was established based on six variables. The validation suggested the nomogram model was well calibrated and had good utility in education, as well as area under the curve of model prediction was 0.65.ConclusionsWe identify factors influencing empathy of undergraduate medical students. Moreover, increasing manifest and hidden curriculums on cultivating empathy of medical students may be needed among medical universities or schools in China.

Effectiveness of empathy portfolios in developing professional identity formation in medical students: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMedical education requires innovative strategies to enhance empathic skills and the formation of professional identities among students. However, evidence-based teaching of empathy and professional identity formation is inadequately represented, particularly in medical curricula. This study investigated the effectiveness of empathy portfolios in developing Professional Identity Formation (PIF) among medical students and the correlation between empathy and PIF. The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of empathy portfolios for teaching and nurturing PIF in medical students and to investigate the correlation between empathy and PIF.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted at Peshawar Medical College, Pakistan. The protocol adhered to CONSORT guidelines. A total of 120 students participated in the study. Empathy and PIF were assessed using two validated questionnaires JSPE-S and PIQ before randomization. The participants were randomized in a stratified fashion into the experimental (n = 60) and control (n = 60) groups. The Participants in the intervention group attended a training workshop on portfolio use. Students maintained their portfolios and wrote reflections on incidents that evoked empathy. Independent t-tests were performed to determine whether the control and experimental groups differed in terms of mean empathy and PIF scores, and Pearson’s correlation analyses were used to investigate the relationships between pre- and post-empathy, and pre-post-PIF.ResultsThe mean post-test scores on the Empathy and PIF showed a statistically insignificant difference of 0.75 +-17.6 for empathy and 0.45 ± 8.36 for PIF. The intervention had little influence on empathy and PIF scores, as evidenced by nonsignificant effect sizes of 0.32 and 0.36 for empathy and PIF respectively.A strong positive correlation was found between Pre-Empathy and the PIF-Total score (0.519), and between Post- empathy and the PIF-Total score (0.395) (p < 0.001).ConclusionsEmpathy had a positive linear correlation with PIF; however, the use of empathy portfolios as a three-week single-point intervention was ineffective at nurturing PIF.

Exploring Association of Level of Empathy with Demographic Factors among Medical and Dental Students, A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Being an effective physician, one must possess both clinical expertise and a specific range of emotional competencies, including empathy. Objective: To determine the empathy scores among medical and dental students and to correlate them with demographic factors like age, gender and academic year. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 324 students from medical and dental programs at a private medical and dental college in Lahore. Empathy levels were measured using Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy- student version (JSPE-S). Data analysis was done using SPSS 24.0. Non-parametric tests were applied to find the significant difference between average scores of JSPE-S and all sub-scales across gender, age, academic year and medical program. Results: The mean empathy score on JSPE-S was 66.7. Difference of JSPE-S overall empathy score between age-groups was statistically significant (p-value 0.02). Among the medical and dental students significant difference was found between average scores of perceptive taking and compassionate care. No correlation was found between empathy scores and gender. However, empathy scores were low during initial years of medical school, being the highest in fourth year and then declining again. Conclusions: It was concluded that empathy is associated with demographical factors. Among the medical and dental students’ significant difference was found between average scores of perceptive taking and compassionate care. Although no difference in empathy scores was found between the two genders however, it declined as students gained more exposure to patients in their senior years

Substantial Increases in Healthcare Students' State Empathy Scores Owing to Participation in a Single Improvisation Session.

To determine whether the 12-item state empathy scale could be modified reliably to measure empathy in healthcare professions students and to detect changes in their empathy owing to a single improvisation (improv) session. Three cohorts of students from two healthcare professions programs (total = 165 students) participated in an improv session. During the session, one of the researchers (BS) tasked the students with several improv activities. Participants' self-reported state empathy scores were assessed at three time points (pre-improv, post-improv, and end of semester) using revised, in-class paper versions of the State Empathy Scale. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a single factor solution for the revised scale, justifying the creation of an overall state empathy score from the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha reliability values averaged 0.87. Students' mean empathy scores were higher directly after the improv session than directly prior to the session (p < 0.0001; effect size = r = 0.67, 0.55, and 0.79 for cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively). These findings show that a single one- or two-hour improv session can foster substantial increases in healthcare professional students' state empathy for one another. Greater healthcare professional empathy and compassion foster better healthcare team cooperation and patient outcomes, so healthcare professionals and their students should engage in such empathy-enhancing activities at regular intervals throughout their training and careers.

Empathy Level and its Related Factors in the Different Specialties of Medical Residents

Introduction: Given the importance of empathy in the process of caring for patients, this study investigated the level of empathy and its associated factors among medical residents at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS).&#x0D; Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at AJUMS in 2022. All 473 medical residents who were studying at AJUMS were included in the study using census method. Participants completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. This scale has 20 items that are scored based on a 7-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.&#x0D; Results: The number of medical residents who completed the questionnaires was 290 (response rate 61.3%). These medical residents' mean score of empathy was 102.81±12.75 (out of a total of 140 points). Empathy scores had no statistically significant relationship with sex, marital status, and entry year (p˃ 0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there is a significant relationship between the level of empathy and age (r=0.223, p=0.001). Also, there was a significant difference between the empathy scores of medical residents of different specialties (p=0.0001, F=5.249), with the psychiatry residents having the highest mean empathy score (118.31±6.1) and the ophthalmology residents having the lowest (92.85±14.2).&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings showed that the empathy score of the residents is at a moderate level, and given the significant difference between the empathy scores of residents of different specialties, it can be argued that empathy changes under the influence of the clinical education environment and is a teachable skill.

The relationship between Empathy and listening styles is complex: implications for doctors in training

BackgroundEffective communication is the key to a successful relationship between doctors and their patients. Empathy facilitates effective communication, but physicians vary in their ability to empathize with patients. Listening styles are a potential source of this difference. We aimed to assess empathy and listening styles among medical students and whether students with certain listening styles are more empathetic.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 97 medical students completed the Jefferson scale of Empathy (JSE) and the revised version of the Listening Styles Profile (LSP-R). The relationship between empathy and listening styles was assessed by comparing JSE scores across different listening styles using ANOVA in SPSS software. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOverall, the students showed a mean empathy score of 103 ± 14 on JSE. Empathy scores were lower among clinical students compared to preclinical students. Most of the medical students preferred the analytical listening style. The proportion of students who preferred the relational listening style was lower among clinical students compared to preclinical students. There was no significant relationship between any of the listening styles with empathy.ConclusionOur results do not support an association between any particular listening style with medical students’ empathic ability. We propose that students who have better empathetic skills might shift between listening styles flexibly rather than sticking to a specific listening style.

Empathy Levels Among Healthcare Professionals: An Asian Multi-professional Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the study was to measure empathy in healthcare professionals in Singapore and to compare the scores between the different professions: doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. An online survey questionnaire was conducted using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) from July 2019 to January 2020. The total JSE score was calculated and compared among the different groups. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess predictors of total empathy scores for groups with statistically lower scores. The survey was completed by 4,188 healthcare professionals (doctors (n=569, 13.6%), nurses (n=3032, 72.4%), and allied health professionals (n=587, 14.0%)) out of the 9,348-strong survey population, with a response rate of 44.8%. The study revealed a mean empathy score (SD) of 103.6 (15.6) for the cohort. The mean empathy score (SD) was 112.3 (14.7), 101.3 (15.2), and 107.0 (15.0), respectively for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. These were statistically significantly different among the groups (p< 0.0001), with nurses scoring significantly lower than either doctors (p< 0.0001) or allied health professionals (p< 0.0001). Multiple linear regression showed that age < 30 years old, male gender, Malay ethnicity, and working in a hospital setting were associated with significantly lower empathy scores in the nursing group. Nurses in Singapore had significantly lower empathy scores compared to doctors and allied health professionals. Further research on the underlying causes should be undertaken and measures to improve empathy among Singapore nursing staff should be explored and implemented.

Mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis: A descriptive study.

This study aimed to assess mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis in Australian mental health settings. The research question was What is mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems? A cross-sectional survey was carried out to understand mental health nurses' empathy. The convenience sample included 96 mental health nurses from various mental health settings with experience working with consumers with dual diagnosis. We assessed empathy using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. We utilised SPSS™ software to analyse both the descriptive data and multiple-regression. The mean empathy score was 47.71 (SD 8.28). The analysis of the association between demographic variables and individual subscales showed an association between the clinical setting and empathy (p = .031) and sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .049). The work sector was associated with sympathetic physiological arousal (p = .045) and conspecific altruism (p = .008). Emotional contagion (β = .98, p < .001), emotional comprehension (β = 1.02, p < .001), sympathetic physiological arousal (β = 1.01, p < .001) and conspecific altruism (β = 10.23, p < .001) predicted mental health nurses' empathy. This study found that most mental health nurses showed empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses who are more empathetic towards their consumers experience emotional contagion. They understand emotions better, show sympathetic physiological responses and exhibit kind behaviour towards consumers. Further research is required to understand how mental health nurses adapt to consumers' emotional states in different mental health settings. This information can help clinicians make better decisions about care quality for consumers with dual diagnosis. This study addressed mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses showed increased empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. The empathy levels vary based on age, clinical setting, work sector and work experience. Mental health nurses' empathy levels were predicted by emotional contagion, emotion comprehension, sympathetic physiological arousal and conspecific altruism. Empathy enhancement among mental health nurses, particularly towards consumers with dual diagnosis, is crucial and should be regarded as a top priority by healthcare leaders and educators. Outlined by the Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS). No Patient or Public Contribution.

A Study to Assess Resilience and Empathy among the BSc Nursing Students

ABSTRACT Introduction: Resilience is a crucial trait for nursing students as they navigate through the challenges and demands of their education and future profession. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the levels of resilience and empathy among BSc nursing students. Methodology: The study was conducted under a quantitative approach and cross-sectional study design. BSc nursing students of Bishop Benziger College of Nursing, Kollam, were the sample. The purposive sampling technique is used for the selection of the sample. Standardized self-administered questioners were used to collect the data. Results: Analysis of socioeconomic variables reveals that majority of the samples were females (92.8%). Moreover, 79.9% belong to the Christian community. Most of the participants were aged 21 and above. The Percentage of the student in the first year is 27.3%, while the number who belongs to the 3rd year is 25.8% and equal number of students belongs to 4th year. Among 55% of participants were Hostlers and 69.6% had only one sibling. 37.6% of fathers and 23.2% of mothers have an education below 10th standard. Most of the participants (42.3%) reported a family income of below Rs. 10,000. More than 50% of the participants had average resilience and moderate empathy. The mean resilience score was 65.5 and the mean empathy score was 50.25. Positive strong correlations were found between the resilience and empathy of nursing college students. The study reveals a significant association between resilience and the year of studies, parent’s education, and family income of the participants at P &lt; 0.05 level. In the same way, there was a significant association between empathy and the year of studies, parent’s education, and family income of the participants at P &lt; 0.05 level. Conclusion: The study underscores the significance of resilience and empathy among BSc nursing students. It highlights the interconnectedness of these attributes and emphasizes the need for nursing education programs to focus on their cultivation. By developing resilience and empathy, nursing students can develop into competent and compassionate health-care professionals who can provide high-quality care to patients.

Empathy Levels of Dental Undergraduate Towards Their Patients During Practice – A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Empathy in dental practice is pivotal for establishing trust, enhancing patient satisfaction, and promoting overall well-being. Objective: To assess the empathy levels of dental undergraduate towards their patients during practice. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Settings: Department of Prosthodontics, CMH Lahore Medical College. Duration: From December 2022 to May 2023. Methods: Total 225 dental undergraduates currently enrolled in a dental program and students those actively engaged in clinical practice or patient interactions during the study period were included in this study. Patients with a history of behavioral or mental health conditions that may significantly impact empathy levels were excluded from study. Empathy levels were assessed using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Healthcare Providers Version (JSE-HP), a widely recognized and validated instrument for measuring empathy in healthcare professionals. Results: The patients had a mean age of 23.5±3.1 years. The age range varied from 24 to 34 years. In terms of gender distribution, 57.8% were male, while 42.2% were female. Regarding the participant’s year of under graduation the majority were distributed across different years like 26.7% in the 1st year, 31.1% in the 2nd year, 24.4% in the 3rd year, and 17.8% in the 4th year. Among the undergraduate participants, 37.77% fell into the category of Moderate Empathy (JSE scores between 70 and 79), with a mean empathy score of 77.5 ± 6.3. The High Empathy category (JSE scores between 80 and 89) comprised 46.66% of the participants, and their mean empathy score was 82.3 ± 5.7. The quantitative data from the JSE-HP were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 23.0. Conclusion: The study revealed a decline in the mean empathy scores (JSE–HPS) among dentistry students as students advance through the years of their dental education. Highlighting the importance of empathy in the dentistry curriculum is essential for strengthening the bond between dentists and patients, which in turn leads to better treatment results.

Heartfelt Healers: Assessing Empathy Level of Medical Students toward Patient Management

Background: Empathy is a fundamental component in the medical field, essential for effective patient-centered care. It facilitates better patient outcomes, accurate diagnoses, and sound decision-making. Previous studies have indicated varying levels of empathy among medical students across different regions and cultures. Objective: This study aimed to assess the empathy levels among medical students towards patients, focusing on a specific student population in Karachi, Pakistan. It sought to compare these levels with existing data from various international contexts and to understand the implications for medical education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-student version (JSE-S) among 150 undergraduate medical students from various medical institutes in Karachi, Pakistan. The JSE-S scale, comprising 20 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, evaluates both positive and negatively worded items to determine empathy levels. Demographic data, including age, gender, cultural background, year of study, academic performance, and clinical exposure, were also collected. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, focusing on calculating frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Results: The overall mean empathy score was 98.7867, with positive items scoring a mean of 58.06 and negative items a mean of 40.77. These scores were slightly lower compared to studies from countries like China, Japan, Kuwait, Iran, and the United States but were similar to a regional study conducted in 2019 in Pakistan. Demographic analysis revealed a diverse cultural background with a balanced gender distribution and varied academic and clinical exposure. Conclusion: The study highlights a moderate level of empathy among medical students in Karachi, suggesting the need for enhanced empathy training in medical curricula. The findings advocate for the implementation of educational strategies, including workshops and courses on empathic behavior and ethics, to strengthen empathy in future medical practitioners.

Empathy among Undergraduates in an Academy of Health Sciences in Hetauda, Nepal

Introduction: Empathy is the ability to understand one’s perspective and experience, and further use this understanding to communicate with the other person. It has been incorporated as one of the learning objectives by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Empathy in a profession may decline with the pressure of a job or the other way may improve with experience. Objectives: The objective of this study is to measure the empathy score among undergraduate students of an Academy in Hetauda. Methods: This is a cross sectional analytical study conducted among 96 undergraduate students. Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Profession Students’ version was used to measure the empathy scores among the participants. Results: The mean empathy score of the students in Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences was 98.71±15.62. Mean empathy score was significantly higher among the female participants (103.56 ± 14.07 vears 93.43 ± 15.66). The highest mean empathy score was observed among the third semester students 110.18±11.28. A significant difference was observed among the mean empathy values in accordance with discipline where Bachelors of Public Health had the highest mean empathy value 107.95±12.65. In accordance with age the relatively younger age group had higher mean empathy value where males had a mean value of 104.03 ± 13.85 and females had a mean value of 95.83 ± 15.73. Conclusion: Females had a higher mean empathy score than males. Students in the third semester had the highest mean empathy score. Relatively younger students had a mean higher empathy score.

Changes in Medical Students’ Empathy Level in Different Academic Years: A Trend Analysis

Empathy is an essential attribute that enables physicians to comprehend the condition and emotions of their patients, facilitating accurate responses. Consequently, empathy has been linked to improved diagnoses and enhanced clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the changing patterns of empathy levels among medical students during their academic tenure in medical school. A descriptive study was conducted using convenience sampling, involving 361 medical students in Ahvaz, Iran, between September and December 2021. Empathy levels were assessed using the Persian adaptation of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (student version) (JSE-S). Statistical analyses were conducted using the t-test and variance analysis (ANOVA). Based on the empathy scale (ranging from 20 to 140), the mean empathy score among medical students was found to be 106.42±14.8, exhibiting variations based on study year, gender, and grade point average (GPA) (p &lt; 0.01). Notably, a significant decline in empathy scores was observed in final-year students compared to their counterparts in the first year (113.39 vs. 97.05; p &lt; 0.001). Female students and those with higher GPAs demonstrated a higher level of empathy (p &lt; 0.001). The results of the present study revealed that medical students in Iran exhibit a moderate level of empathy compared to findings from local studies. Furthermore, the findings suggest a decline in empathy levels as students progress through their years in medical school. Based on these findings, it is strongly recommended to integrate empathy training into the medical curriculum. Such an approach would enhance student learning and contribute to positive patient care outcomes.

The effect of hospital volunteering on empathy in nursing and medical students

BackgroundEmpathic care benefits patients and healthcare providers. There is evidence of self-reported empathy decline among students in healthcare education. Hospital volunteering could assist undergraduate healthcare students to develop empathetic relationships with patients. AimThe study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effect of a hospital volunteering intervention on the empathy levels of undergraduate nursing and medical students. It further aimed to explore their experience of the intervention and determine student-identified areas for patient safety improvements. DesignPre–post-intervention study SettingA large outer metropolitan hospital in New South Wales, Australia. ParticipantsTwenty-nine (n = 29) undergraduate nursing and medical students from an Australian university. MethodsStudents had an introductory experience of volunteering at their local district hospital through participation in the ‘Volunteer Taster Program’. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Student questionnaire was used to measure student empathy scores pre and post program. Responses to open-ended questions were thematically analysed to evaluate student experiences and identify student-reported areas for patient safety improvements. ResultsTwenty-nine students (18 nursing, 11 medical) completed the program. Students had statistically significant improvements in post-intervention mean empathy scores 112.03 (95% CI 107.56, 116.5) to 117.38 (95% CI 113.76, 121.00) p < 0.001. Subgroup analysis identified a larger increase in empathy scores among medical students than nursing students. The thematic analysis revealed potential program benefits, including new perspectives of the patient experience, improved confidence in patient communication, a stronger professional identity, and a rewarding experience. Identified patient safety issues included concerns for patients’ emotional and physical well-being, and patient communication. ConclusionsThe Volunteer Taster Program is feasible and enabled nursing and medical students to connect with patients outside the sphere of clinical education. It appears to increase empathy levels in undergraduate students and could assist them to deliver empathetic, person-centred healthcare.

Association between empathy levels in physicians and patient satisfaction scores in a cardiovascular clinic

Abstract Introduction A good doctor-patient relationship is crucial to medical practice. A fundamental element that drives this relationship is the empathy of the treating physician, which has also been validated as a predictor of clinical competence and patient results. Purpose We conducted an original study to correlate empathy values of our physicians and patient satisfaction surveys. In this subanalysis, we evaluated whether age, sex or time since qualifying as specialist had an impact on empathy values. Methods In our originaly study we sought to correlate the empathy values of our physicians in our cardiovascular clinic with the results of outpatient satisfaction surveys, measured with HCAPS, using a linear regression model. The Jefferson Empathy scale is a self reported 20 question survey, answered through a 1-7 Likert scale, with a maximum score of 140 points. It is further subclassified into 3 categories: "Perspective", "Care with compassion" and "Stepping into patient's shoes". The HCAPS survey is a patient satisfaction query, with 5 items that inquire as to the patient's perception of being treated with respect by the physician, the interest shown in their problems, the time dedicated to the consult, and the quality of the explanation of their chief concern and treatment options. It is anwered through a Likert scale from "Totally diasgree" to "Totally agree". There is also a final question that asks for a global impression. Results 65 doctors answered the Empathy survey, 30.8% of them women. Mean age was 48.8 years, and over half were under 50 years old. 81% had been practicing for over 5 years. 61671 HCAPS surveys were analyzed, corresponding to those 65 practitioners. Mean Empathy score was 120.7 (DS 11.1). We found that patients perceived greater respectful treatment (p=0.03) and had their treatment options better explained to them (p=0.02) by physicians with higher levels of empathy. The other HCAPS queries had a positive, though non statistically significant, relationship with Empathy scores. Doctors with higher scores in the subcategory "stepping into patient's shoes" had a significant increase in patient's perception of the interest shown in their concerns (p=0.01). There were no differences in physicians' empathy levels according to their age, gender, or time since qualifying as a specialist. Discussion These results validate empathy as a key skill in the doctor-patient relationship, and show that high levels of this personality attribute lead to better patient satisfaction results. Our results differ from other published work in that we found no difference in empathy levels according to gender or practice time, whereas most previous literature found that women and longer practice time were positively associated with empathy levels.

Assessing Levels of Empathy among Undergraduate Medical Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Medical College in Sohar, Oman

OBJECTIVE: Empathy is an essential aspect of communication skills for physicians, especially primary care physicians. The study aims to explore the empathy scores among medical students at different stages of medical training and to analyze the effect of gender and career choice on the empathy scores of medical students. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to January 2022 in a medical college in Sohar, Oman. All the students were eligible to participate in this study. Simple random sampling was employed, and participants were administered a 20-item Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student (JSE-S) Version. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Mean and standard deviation were reported for continuous variables. Subgroup comparisons were conducted using t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Out of 424 participants, the majority were female (n=390,92%), and over half of the students (56%) were less than 22 years of age. The mean empathy score of students on the JSE-S scale was 104.6 ± 17.43 (range: 37-140). Subgroup analysis revealed that males had a slightly high score on JSE-S (male: 105.7+14.56, female: 104.5+17.6, p-0.23). Empathy scores showed an increasing trend as the student progressed through medical school (6th year: 106.2+16.16). Empathy scores were almost similar for students who had preferred people or procedure-oriented fields as their career pathway (p-0.59). CONCLUSION: The study reflects the need to include empathy in teaching communication skills to medical students as an integral part of the medical school curriculum, which could assist them in becoming compassionate physicians and increasing patient satisfaction. KEYWORDS: Empathy, empathy scores, JSPE, Medical Students, Physicians, Undergraduate Medical Students.

Empathy among Undergraduates and Post Graduates Clinical Dental Students of Lahore Medical and Dental College

OBJECTIVE: To assess the gender differences and to measure the empathy scores in undergraduates (3rd, 4th year, Interns) and post graduates clinical dental students of Lahore Medical and Dental College. METHODOLOGY: STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative, Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. TARGET POPULATION: 3rd &amp; 4th year BDS students, House officers and Dental Post graduates at Lahore Medical and Dental College, who fulfill the inclusion criteria. SAMPLE SIZE: 180 students responded out of 230. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT: Self-reported questionnaire: Jefferson Empathy Scale of Health Care Provider- Student's Version. RESULTS: Results indicated that the female empathy score was significantly higher as compared to male students (p-value = 0.041). The postgraduates shows highest mean empathy level (88.1 ± 11.9) and 4th year students (86.1 ± 10.2) followed by 3rd year students. Post hoc Tukey test revealed that that the mean empathy score of house officers (80.7 ± 9.0) was significantly lower as compared to 4th year students (86.1 ± 10.2) (p-value = 0.025).The skills of interpersonal caring and empathy can low the dental fear, increase the adherence and outcomes of the treatment, and there will be more patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Empathy-related teaching exercises ('taught' by peer assisted learning, role-playing, documentaries making and interviewing skills) must be implemented among the dental students to endorse the growth of empathy and more time should be spend on history taking. KEYWORDS: Empathy, Dental, Students, Education, Jafferson Scale Of empathy (JSPE-HPS)