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Quantifying empathy levels among UK undergraduate medical students: an online survey

Sarah Garnett, Hajira Dambha-Miller and Beth Stuart
British Journal of General Practice 2020; 70 (suppl 1): bjgp20X711293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp20X711293
Sarah Garnett
University of Southampton
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Hajira Dambha-Miller
University of Southampton
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Beth Stuart
University of Southampton
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Abstract

Background Empathy is a key health care concept and refers to care that incorporates understanding of patient perspective’s, shared decision making, and consideration of the broader context in which illness is experience. Evidence suggests experiences of doctor empathy correlate with improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction. It has also been linked to job satisfaction, and mental wellbeing for doctors. To date, there is a paucity of evidence on empathy levels among medical students. This is critical to understand given that it is a key point at which perceptions and practices of empathy in the longer term might be formed.

Aim To quantify the level of empathy among UK undergraduate medical students

Method An anonymised cross-sectional online survey was distributed to medical students across three universities. The previously validated Davis’s Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to quantify empathy. The survey also collected information on age, sex, ethnicity, year of medical school training and included a free-text box for ‘any other comments’.

Results Data analysis is currently underway with high response rates. Mean empathy scores by age, sex, year of study and ethnic group are presented. A correlation analysis will examine associations between age and year of study, and mean empathy sores.

Conclusion These data will help to provide a better understanding of empathy levels to inform the provision of future empathy training and medical school curriculum design. Given previous evidence linking experiences of empathy to better health outcomes, the findings may also be significant to future patient care

  • © British Journal of General Practice 2020
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British Journal of General Practice: 70 (suppl 1)
British Journal of General Practice
Vol. 70, Issue suppl 1
June 2020
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Quantifying empathy levels among UK undergraduate medical students: an online survey
Sarah Garnett, Hajira Dambha-Miller, Beth Stuart
British Journal of General Practice 2020; 70 (suppl 1): bjgp20X711293. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp20X711293

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Quantifying empathy levels among UK undergraduate medical students: an online survey
Sarah Garnett, Hajira Dambha-Miller, Beth Stuart
British Journal of General Practice 2020; 70 (suppl 1): bjgp20X711293. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp20X711293
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Print ISSN: 0960-1643
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