Empathy level differences between Polish surgeons and physicians.
Folia Med Cracov
; 53(1): 47-54, 2013.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24858330
ABSTRACT
AIM:
The aim of this study was to assess the levels of empathy among Polish physicians and surgeons. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Ninety-two physicians took part in the study. The physicians were either employed in hospitals, outpatient clinics or university departments in Krakow. The participants were asked to fill out a personal questionnaire, the Emotional Empathy Scale (EES), as well as describe four chosen tables from the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).RESULTS:
The study group consisted of 92 physicians, including 25 women (27.2%) and 67 men, in the mean age of 42 ± 16.3 years (age span 27-68 years). The physicians have been divided into two subgroups - non-surgical specialists (52 people - 56.5%) and surgical specialists (40 people - 43.5%). There were no gender differences, as to the level of empathy, in the study group (p >0.05). Non-surgical specialists displayed a higher level of empathy (p=0.03) than their surgical counterparts. There was a positive correlation between age and the level of empathy. This was seen both among non-surgical (r = 0.41; p < 0.0001) and surgical specialists (r = 0.59; p < 0.0001). No correlation was seen between the number of years of experience working as a doctor and the level of empathy (p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:
Empathy is an essential element in the physician-patient relationship. This study has shown that non-surgical specialists display a higher level of empathy. We have also shown that years of experience working as a doctor do not influence the level of empathy, while age is a beneficial factor.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Relações Médico-Paciente
/
Médicos
/
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde
/
Empatia
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article