title: A pilot randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of inclusion of a distant learning component into empathy training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have shown a gradual decline in empathy of medical trainees with increasing years of education. METHODS to augment empathy show some promise, but the most effective methods are both expensive and time consuming. To assess effectiveness of communication skills training program as a distant learning method in improving empathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen first year residents of psychiatry were randomly allocated to either participate in a two day workshop on communications skills (attending group) or to watch the videotape of the first day and participate in the second day (distance learning group). Assessments included Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and objective assessment of empathy (OAE) during a simulated interview, before and 3 months after the training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The empathy was significantly increased in the attending group as measured by OAE. The score of JSE also increased in the attending group but did not reach a significance level. No increase in empathy was seen in the distance learning group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Watching the videotape of the workshop is not effective in improving empathy of residents. More interactive methods should be sought if we plan to use distance learning methods in enhancement of empathy.
authors.affiliation: 1. Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mehdinassr@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasr Esfahani
authors.affiliation: 2. Psychiatrist, Mental Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mojgan_beh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behzadipour
authors.affiliation: 3. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry-School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. drjalali57@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalali Nadoushan
authors.affiliation: 4. Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry-School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shariat.v@iums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Seyed Vahid
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Shariat
keywords: empathy; medical education; medical student