Can communication skills training improve empathy? A six-year longitudinal study of medical students in Japan.
Med Teach
; 41(2): 195-200, 2019 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29683011
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Empathy is an important component of overall clinical competence; thus, enhancing empathy in medical education is essential for quality patient care.AIM:
This longitudinal study was designed to address the following questions 1. Can a targeted educational program in communication skills training enhance empathy in medical students? and 2. Can such a program have a sustained effect?METHODS:
Study participants included 116 students who entered Okayama University Medical School in 2011. Students participated in a communication skills training program aimed to enhance their empathy, and completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) five times at the beginning of medical school, prior to participation in the program, immediately after the program, and in last years of medical school. A total of 69 students, representing 59% of the cohort, completed the JSE in all five test administrations.RESULTS:
Students' total scores on the JSE and its two factors (Perspective Taking and Compassionate Care) increased significantly (p < 0.001) after participation in the communication skills training program. However, the program did not have a sustained effect.CONCLUSIONS:
Targeted educational programs to enhance empathy in medical students can have a significant effect; however, additional reinforcements may be needed for a sustained effect.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estudantes de Medicina
/
Comunicação
/
Educação Médica
/
Empatia
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Med Teach
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão