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BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to measure empathy in healthcare professionals in Singapore and to compare the scores between the different professions: doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. METHODS: An online survey questionnaire was conducted using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) from July 2019 to January 2020. The total JSE score was calculated and compared among the different groups. Multiple linear regression was performed to assess predictors of total empathy scores for groups with statistically lower scores. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 4,188 healthcare professionals (doctors (n=569, 13.6%), nurses (n=3032, 72.4%), and allied health professionals (n=587, 14.0%)) out of the 9,348-strong survey population, with a response rate of 44.8%. The study revealed a mean empathy score (SD) of 103.6 (15.6) for the cohort. The mean empathy score (SD) was 112.3 (14.7), 101.3 (15.2), and 107.0 (15.0), respectively for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. These were statistically significantly different among the groups (p< 0.0001), with nurses scoring significantly lower than either doctors (p< 0.0001) or allied health professionals (p< 0.0001). Multiple linear regression showed that age < 30 years old, male gender, Malay ethnicity, and working in a hospital setting were associated with significantly lower empathy scores in the nursing group. CONCLUSION: Nurses in Singapore had significantly lower empathy scores compared to doctors and allied health professionals. Further research on the underlying causes should be undertaken and measures to improve empathy among Singapore nursing staff should be explored and implemented.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Interprofessional communication (IPC) is integral to interprofessional teams working in the emergency medicine (EM) setting. Yet, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has laid bare gaps in IPC knowledge, skills and attitudes. These experiences underscore the need to review how IPC is taught in EM. PURPOSE: A systematic scoping review is proposed to scrutinize accounts of IPC programs in EM. METHODS: Krishna's Systematic Evidence-Based Approach (SEBA) is adopted to guide this systematic scoping review. Independent searches of ninedatabases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, JSTOR, Google Scholar and OpenGrey) and "negotiated consensual validation" were used to identify articles published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2020. Three research teams reviewed the data using concurrent content and thematic analysis and independently summarized the included articles. The findings were scrutinized using SEBA's jigsaw perspective and funneling approach to provide a more holistic picture of the data. IN TOTAL: 18,809 titles and abstracts were identified after removal of duplicates, 76 full-text articles reviewed, and 19 full-text articles were analyzed. In total, four themes and categories were identified, namely: (a) indications and outcomes, (2) curriculum and assessment methods, (3) barriers, and (4) enablers. CONCLUSION: IPC training in EM should be longitudinal, competency- and stage-based, underlining the need for effective oversight by the host organization. It also suggests a role for portfolios and the importance of continuing support for physicians in EM as they hone their IPC skills. HIGHLIGHTS: ⢠IPC training in EM is competency-based and organized around stages.⢠IPC competencies build on prevailing knowledge and skills.⢠Longitudinal support and holistic oversight necessitates a central role for the host organization.⢠Longitudinal, robust, and adaptable assessment tools in the EM setting are necessary and may be supplemented by portfolio use.
RESUMO
Background Patients with advanced cardiac conditions value effective symptom control and empathic communication with their doctors. However, studies have shown that empathic communication with seriously ill patients does not occur adequately in cardiology. Therefore, we piloted a program for teaching communication skills in a bite-sized manner. The primary aim of the research was to understand the feasibility and acceptability of the training program and to perform a preliminary evaluation of its efficacy. Methodology Clinicians were recruited from the cardiology unit of a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Patients were also recruited for the audio recording of clinic consults. Recruited patients had to have a chronic cardiac condition and be deemed at risk of dying within one year. We utilized a pre-post intervention design. Prior to the educational intervention, clinicians were asked to audio record a single clinic consult at baseline. They were then asked to participate in a training program that consisted of video-annotated presentations and role-play scenarios. Subsequently, the audio recordings of their clinic consults with seriously ill patients were recorded. The audio recordings were evaluated by trainers and used for feedback with clinicians. Data on the completion rate of the training program were collected. In addition, changes in the clinicians' self-rated communication skills and views on the acceptability and relevance of the training program were collected. Results Overall, five of the six clinicians (83.3%) completed all sessions in the program. One clinician only completed four out of the five sessions in the program. Clinicians deemed the program acceptable and relevant and found audio recordings to be useful for reflective learning. There was an improvement in the clinicians' self-assessed competency. However, the planned number of audio recordings could not be completed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Conclusions The pilot training program was acceptable and relevant for the participants. However, it will require adaptation to allow it to be transferrable and scalable to all settings, especially in situations that limit prolonged face-to-face contact.