Assessing Empathy Levels and Their Associations Among 3rd-Year Medical Students at Khyber Medical College, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the empathy levels among 3rd year medical students.

Methodology                                              

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 using Jefferson Scale of Empathy student-version (JSE-S) at Khyber Medical College, Pakistan to assess 3rd-year students’ empathy. A sample size of 152 was calculated. Data was collected using convenience sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were calculated for JSE-S scores with comparisons across variables using an independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc test.

Results

After a response rate of 84.9%, 123 forms (65 males, 58 females) were analyzed. Majority (73.2%) had age < 22 years. Overall, mean empathy score recorded was 103.24 ± 15.83 (range = 53-132). Empathy was significantly higher in group younger than 22 years (p = 0.004) and females (p < 0.001). The difference was non-significant among specialty preference groups (p = 0.08) but separately for females, it was significant (p = 0.02), with the underlying difference between technology-oriented specialties and undecided group (p = 0.02) on post-hoc comparisons.

Conclusion

This article looks into the empathy of 3rd-year medical students. Empathy, as indicated, varied significantly among age and gender groups while specialty preference was found to have little effect. Interestingly, empathy was significantly different for specialty preference only among females. Integration of empathy programs into curriculum is recommended.

Key words: Empathy, Emotions, Medical student, Patient Care, Pakistan.