Impact of clinical interview training on the empathy level of medical students and medical residents

Abstract

Background: Empathy is a skill that can be acquired by practise and should become a habit.

Aims: Assess the impact of a communication skills workshop on the empathy level of medical students and medical residents.

Methods: Quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study. Empathy level was assessed in 203 subjects using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), divided in two groups: one control group, and other experimental group that participated in an activity consisting of a 25-hour theoretical/practical workshop on communication and empathy.

Results: The mean pre-workshop JSPE score was similar in both groups. Post-workshop JSPE score increased 5.24 points (95 CI 3.82–7.09) (P < 0.0001) in the experimental group, improving in 68.9% of participants. No significant increase in JSPE score after the second assessment was observed in the controls. For this difference the estimated effect size was 0.78.

Conclusions: A communication skills workshop yields a slight improvement of crucial practice importance in subjects’ empathy.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clotilde Fernández-Olano

CLOTILDE FERNÁNDEZ OLANO M.D. PhD. is Associated Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla, La Mancha.

Julio Montoya-Fernández

JULIO MONTOYA FERNÁNDEZ M.D. is Associated Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla, La Mancha.

Antonio S. Salinas-Sánchez

ANTONIO S. SALINAS SÁNCHEZ is Associated Professor of Urology, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Castilla, La Mancha.