title: Measuring empathy in pharmacy students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students version (JSE-HPS) in pharmacy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The JSE-HPS (20 items), adapted from the original Jefferson Scale of Empathy for use among students in the healthcare professions, was completed by 187 first-year pharmacy students at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two factors, "perspective-taking" and "compassionate care," emerged from factor analysis in this study, accounting for 31% and 8% of the variance, respectively. These factors are similar to the prominent ones reported in previous research involving physicians and medical students, supporting the construct validity of this instrument for pharmacy students. In the current study, mean JSE-HPS score was comparable to those reported for medical students, and consistent with previous findings with medical students and physicians. Women scored significantly higher than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the construct validity and reliability of the JSE-HPS for measuring empathy in pharmacy students.
authors.affiliation: Chicago College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, 60515, USA. nfjort@midwestern.edu
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fjortoft
authors.forename: Lon J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Van Winkle
authors.forename: Mohammadreza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hojat
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004645:Empathy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*