Empathy Levels in First- and Third-Year Students in Health and Non-Health Disciplines

Abstract

Objective. To compare empathy scores between health professions students (pharmacy and nursing) and non-health professions (law) students and between first-and third-year students. Methods. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version was completed by 282 students. Results. Nursing and pharmacy students had significantly more empathy than did law students. Thirdyear pharmacy students scored higher on empathy than did first-year pharmacy students, whereas the converse was true for nurses. There was no significant difference in empathy between first-and third-year law students. Across the study years, empathy increased among pharmacy students, decreased among nurses, and remained the same among law students. Women scored higher on empathy than did males. Conclusions. Empathy scores among university students vary depending on discipline and year of study.

Relationships between nurses’ empathy, self-compassion and dimensions of professional quality of life: A cross-sectional study

“…This is an interesting finding and supports previous literature that beyond a certain level empathic feelings and sensibility to others' suffering may be a vulnerability factor for the development of compassion fatigue (Figley, 2002;2012), but not burnout (Lamothe, Boujut, Zenasni, & Sultan, 2014), but at the same time may promote positive clinical outcomes (Gleichgerrcht & Decety, 2013).…”

“…Literature suggests that being overly sensitive to others' suffering in the course of caring for patients experiencing trauma or pain can lead to deleterious effects, such as burnout or compassion fatigue (Figley, 2002;2012). However, there are few empirical studies to date directly exploring such hypothesis .…”

“…We found healthcare professionals encounter people with various injuries and suffering in their everyday practice. In this case, being overly sensitive to others' suffering and pain may be detrimental and cause several negative effects, such as compassion fatigue (Figley, 2002;2012). Although the potentially negative effects of being empathic have been previously described in the literature, few studies directly tested this hypothesis .…”

“…In addition to objective errors in care, stress and burnout may decrease compassion in the caregiver (Neumann et al, 2011;Nunes et al, 2011;Wilson et al, 2012), and impact on their relationship with patients (Ratanawongsa et al, 2008). Thus, it is not surprising that burnout has been associated with decreased patient satisfaction, suboptimal self-reported patient care, and longer patient-reported recovery times (Vahey et al, 2004;Shanafelt et al, 2002;Shapiro et al, 2005).…”

“…Several studies have reported that stress and burnout in healthcare professionals are associated with several physical and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem (e.g., Maslach, Schaufeli, & Leiter, 2001;Schulz et al, 2011). Stress and burnout also impact on professional effectiveness and has been associated with suboptimal patient care (Shanafelt et al, 2002), and self-reported medical errors (Wes et al, 2006).In addition to objective errors in care, stress and burnout may decrease compassion in the caregiver (Neumann et al, 2011;Nunes et al, 2011;Wilson et al, 2012), and impact on their relationship with patients (Ratanawongsa et al, 2008). Thus, it is not surprising that burnout has been associated with decreased patient satisfaction, suboptimal self-reported patient care, and longer patient-reported recovery times (Vahey et al, 2004;Shanafelt et al, 2002;Shapiro et al, 2005).…”