Previous studies have established a correlation between empathy and burnout among healthcare providers. The aim of this study is to explore whether empathy – the ability to understand what another person is experiencing, was related to mental healthcare staffs’ burnout. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study among medical and nursing mental healthcare staff working in the district of Moselle, France. Participants completed a survey including The French versions of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSPE) and The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). The sample included 241 (n=241) participants (N=420, response rate=51.7%). 187 (77.6%) respondents had low burnout, 43 (17.8%) had intermediate burnout and 11 (4.6%) had high burnout. 41 (17%) had low empathy, 156 (64.7) had moderate empathy and 44 (18.3%) scored high. Empathy scores were positively correlated with scores of personal accomplishment of the MBI-HSS (r=0.2; p<0.001), but negatively correlated with scores of depersonalization (r=-0.2; p<0.003). Highest means of depersonalization (DP) (M=8.7; SD=6.8; p<0.009) and lowest means of compassionate care (M=40.05; SD=7.9; p=0.0001) were found among forensic psychiatric security units staff. Participation in the Omega educational program was associated with lower scores of EE on the MBI-HSS survey (mean score 14.7 versus a mean score of 19.7 for nonparticipants). Empathic mental healthcare providers have lower levels of burnout. Forensic psychiatric staff showed low means of compassionate care and high depersonalization. Interventions designed to foster attributes and skills such as empathy, resilience, and perception of security may be an essential step in reducing and preventing burnout.

Empathy is a key factor in the dentist–patient relationship. The aim of this study was to determine empathy in dental students and educators in French hospital dental services. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among dental students and educators who practiced in 10 hospital dental services affiliated with the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Lorraine in France. A questionnaire was self‐administered online using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE). The study included 209 participants comprising 50 students in fourth year, 66 students in fifth year, 48 students in sixth year, and 45 educators. Participants were 63.6% females, aged 27 ± 8 years. The mean empathy score was 109.40 ± 11.65. The sub‐scores of the three dimensions were 57.02 ± 6.64 for Perspective Taking, 42.56 ± 6.22 for Compassionate Care, and 9.78 ± 2.61 for Walking in the Patient's Shoes. Females showed significant higher empathy scores than males (111.36 vs. 105.84). The empathy score was correlated with age and insignificantly decreased during clinical training (from 110.06 in fourth year to 106.63 in sixth year). French dental students and educators showed high levels of empathy.