The complexity of empathy during medical school training: evidence for positive changes

• DOI: 10.1111/medu.13398
• Publication Date: 2017-09-08T03:14:57Z
• Authors: Karen E Smith; Greg J Norman; Jean Decety
• Keywords: Male; Physician-Patient Relations; Students, Medical; 4. Education; 02 engineering and technology; Surveys and Questionnaires; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; Humans; Female; Longitudinal Studies; Self Report; Empathy; Education, Medical, Undergraduate

Context Empathy is an essential aspect of clinical care, associated with improved patient satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment, and fewer malpractice complaints. Previous studies suggest that empathy declines during medical training. However, past research relied on a single narrowly operationalised, self-report measure empathy. As complex socio-emotional construct, it critical assess changes across its distinct components using multiple measures in order better understand how influenced by Methods In longitudinal study, students completed series behavioural twice per year the first 3 years their study (2012–2015). These included previously used Jefferson Scale Physician (JSPE), designed context, Questionnaire Cognitive Affective (QCAE), overall main components, sensitivity others' pain understanding emotions, both which are important aspects The employment allowed for more complete assessment students' related processes. Results reflection findings previous work, assessed JSPE decreased over QCAE, empathy, specifically cognitive subcomponent perspective taking, emotion contagion affective improved, whereas remaining subcomponents remained stable. During school, also exhibited comparable growth emotions pain. Conclusions Changes school cannot be simply characterised as representing decline. Indeed, thought valuable positive physician–patient interactions improve Overall, this points importance assessing forms measurement mechanisms involved practice.