Dataset Information

Comparing a self-administered measure of empathy with observed behavior among medical students.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Studies show that measures of physician and medical students' empathy decline with clinical training. Presently, there are limited data relating self-reported measures to observed behavior. This study explores a self-reported measure and observed empathy in medical students.

Method

Students in the Class of 2009, at a university-based medical school, were surveyed at the end of their 2nd and 3rd year. Students completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version (JSPE-S), a self-administered scale, and were evaluated for demonstrated empathic behavior during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

Results

97.6% and 98.1% of eligible students participated in their 2nd and 3rd year, respectively. The overall correlation between the JSPE-S and OSCE empathy scores was 0.22, p < 0.0001. Students had higher self-reported JSPE-S scores in their 2nd year compared to their 3rd year (118.63 vs. 116.08, p < 0.0001), but had lower observed empathy scores (3.96 vs. 4.15, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Empathy measured by a self-administered scale decreased, whereas observed empathy increased among medical students with more medical training.

SUBMITTER: Chen DC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2839329 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Comparing a self-administered measure of empathy with observed behavior among medical students.

Chen Daniel C R DC Pahilan M Elaine ME Orlander Jay D JD

Journal of general internal medicine 20091215 3

<h4>Purpose</h4>Studies show that measures of physician and medical students' empathy decline with clinical training. Presently, there are limited data relating self-reported measures to observed behavior. This study explores a self-reported measure and observed empathy in medical students.<h4>Method</h4>Students in the Class of 2009, at a university-based medical school, were surveyed at the end of their 2nd and 3rd year. Students completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Versi ...[more]

PMID: 20013070

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Empathy is paramount in the doctor-patient relationship being a comprehensive and multidimensional concept. Self-ratings of empathy change across the years of medical education only when the Jefferson Scale of Physicians Empathy is used, with a worrying decrease being found throughout the years in Medicine Schools. As there are only few studies on the factors influencing medical student's empathy, particularly of the curricular model, this study aimed to compare the levels of empathy of medicine students of two Schools with different curricular models in central Portugal, the Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra (FMUC) and the Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Beira Interior (FCS-UBI). METHODS:Cross-sectional observational study with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy - students' Portuguese version (JSPE - spv) to 1st, 3rd and 6th year students of the 2017/2018 academic year with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (p?<?0.05). RESULTS:Size representative sample of 795 students. Higher total empathy score (TES) (p?=?0.008) and "Perspective taking" (p?=?0.001) in FCS-UBI were found. JSPE-TES was higher in FCS-UBI, 3rd year (p?=?0.038). Higher FCS-UBI "Perspective taking" in the 1st year (p?=?0.030) and 6th year (p?=?0.044), for "Compassionate care" in the 3rd (p?=?0.019) and for "Standing in the patient's shoes" in the 1st year (p?=?0.018) and in FMUC for "Compassionate care" in the 1st year (p?=?0.037) and the "Standing in the patient's shoes" in year 3 (p?=?0.002) were found. Higher levels of empathy were found in FCS-UBI female students, for JSPE-TES (p?=?0.045) and "Perspective taking" (p?=?0.001). CONCLUSION:Higher empathy levels in FCS-UBI were found, with different results in the third year suggesting influence of the medical course teaching characteristics between the two Medicine schools, student's empathy levels being higher when earlier and more intense contact with patients accompanied by skilled tutors was developed.

Project description:Medical Education studies suggest that medical students experience mental distress in a proportion higher than in the rest of the population In the present study, we aimed to conduct a nationwide analysis of the prevalence of mental health problems among medical students. The study was carried out in 2020 in all 43 medical schools in Spain, and analyzes the prevalence of depression, anxiety, empathy and burnout among medical students (n = 5216). To measure these variables we used the Beck Depression Inventory Test for assessing depression, the Maslach Burnout Inventory Survey for Students was used for burnout, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety state and trait and the Jefferson Empathy Scale 12 to obtain empathy scores. In relation to depression, the data indicate an overall prevalence of 41%, with 23.4% of participants having moderate to severe levels, and 10% experiencing suicidal ideation. Burnout prevalence was 37%, significantly higher among 6th year than among 1st year students. Anxiety levels were consistent with those reported previously among medical students (25%), and were higher than in the general population for both trait and state anxiety. The prevalence of trait anxiety was higher among women. Empathy scores were at the top end of the scale, with the highest-scoring group (>130) containing a greater percentage of women. Similarly to those published previously for other countries, these results provide a clear picture of the mental disorders affecting Spanish medical students. Medicine is an extremely demanding degree and it is important that universities and medical schools view this study as an opportunity to ensure conditions that help minimize mental health problems among their students. Some of the factors underlying these problems can be prevented by, among other things, creating an environment in which mental health is openly discussed and guidance is provided. Other factors need to be treated medically, and medical schools and universities should therefore provide support to students in need through the medical services available within their institutions.

Dataset Information

Comparing a self-administered measure of empathy with observed behavior among medical students.

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Comparing a self-administered measure of empathy with observed behavior among medical students.

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