Effect of a Person-Centered Course on the Empathic Ability of Dental Students.
Person-centered or patient-centered care (PCC) focuses on the individual's needs and concerns. Although PCC is widely acknowledged as a core value of modern medicine, there has been a lack of research on how dental curricula could engage future dentists in PCC approaches. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a PCC course on empathy in dental students. A controlled study was conducted with fourth-year dental students in four dental faculties in France in 2014-15. The test group (n=63) received 20 hours of PCC training including arts-based approaches, narrative dentistry activities, and workshops on communication based on the Calgary-Cambridge guide. There was no change in the curriculum of the control group (n=217). Pretest and posttest measures with the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) and Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) were compared for the two groups. The comparisons showed no significant differences on the TEQ or JSPE (p=0.25 and p=0.08, respectively). However, there was a higher proportion of students with more than an eight-point decrease in TEQ values in the control group (p=0.02). The stabilization of empathic ability in the test group may have counteracted the tendency for natural erosion of empathy among students during their clinical activities. These results suggest that PCC training constitutes a promising approach to developing dental students' empathic ability, but there is a need to assess the effects of such training over longer periods.
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Julien
J
Rosenzweig
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Alessandra
A
Blaizot
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Nancie
N
Cougot
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Estelle
E
Pegon-Machat
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Olivier
O
Hamel
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Nareg
N
Apelian
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Christophe
C
Bedos
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Maria-Teresa
MT
Munoz-Sastre
Dr. Rosenzweig was an MSc student, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, France at the time of this study; Dr. Blaizot is a PhD student and teaching assistant, Department of Public Health, Lille Dental Faculty, Lille 2 University, France; Dr. Cougot is Assistant Lecturer, Department of Restorative and Endodontic Dentistry, Paris Diderot Dental Faculty, Paris, France; Dr. Pegon-Machat is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Dr. Hamel is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France and Laboratory of Medical Ethics, EA 4569, Faculty of Medicine, Paris Descartes University; Dr. Apelian is Assistant Professor and MSc student, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Bedos is Associate Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Adjunct Professor, École de Sante Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Dr. Munoz-Sastre is University Professor, CERPPS Laboratory, Toulouse 2 University (Jean Jaures), France; and Dr. Vergnes is University Lecturer and Hospital Practitioner, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research Platform of Toulouse Dental Faculty, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France, and Adjunct Professor, Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. jn.vergnes@mcgill.ca.
Jean-Noel
JN
Vergnes
D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D004645:Empathy; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*
dental education; dental students; doctor-patient relations; empathy; patient-centered care; psychosocial aspects