Measuring empathy in medical students: A cross-sectional study

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal; Areej  Riyadh AlBuraikan; Afnan Abdullah AlQarni; Hanan Abdulaziz AlQahtani; Alyaa Mohammad AlOhali; Malak  Mohammed AlMusaileem

doi:10.47391/JPMA.3226

Authors

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5605-8143
Areej Riyadh AlBuraikan Department of Surgery, King Fahad Teaching Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Afnan Abdullah AlQarni Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahad Teaching Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Hanan Abdulaziz AlQahtani Department of Surgery, King Fahad Teaching Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Alyaa Mohammad AlOhali Department of Pediatrics, King Fahad Teaching Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Malak Mohammed AlMusaileem Department of Orthopedic Surgery, King Fahad Teaching Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.3226

Abstract

Objective: To measure the empathy levels of undergraduate medical students, and to explore whether the empathy level has any significant association with gender, academic year and academic achievement.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from January to March 2020, and comprised medical students. Data was collected using the pre-validated student version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Results: Of the 391 students, 251(64.19%) were females, and 140(35.8%) were males. The overall mean empathy score was 105.18+/-12.51. Second year medical students showed the highest empathy score 108.59+/-13.33. There was minor but significant decline in empathy as the students progressed through their academic studies (p<0.05). Empathy scores were significantly higher in female students (p<0.05), and students with higher grade point average scores (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The gradual reduction in empathy is alarming and demands due attention.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Lecturer of medical education, Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.