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Journal of General Internal Medicine

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01-03-2010 | Brief Report

Comparing a Self-Administered Measure of Empathy with Observed Behavior Among Medical Students

Authors: Daniel C. R. Chen, MD, MSc, M. Elaine Pahilan, MPH, Jay D. Orlander, MD, MPH

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 3/2010

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.

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Title: Comparing a Self-Administered Measure of Empathy with Observed Behavior Among Medical Students
Authors: Daniel C. R. Chen, MD, MSc
M. Elaine Pahilan, MPH
Jay D. Orlander, MD, MPH
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1193-4

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Abstract

PURPOSE

METHOD

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS

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