Empathy Score among Student Residence Assistants in Iran.
BACKGROUND
Empathy, an essential component of the physician-patient relationship, may be linked to positive patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the empathy score among student residence assistants (RAs).


METHODS
In this descriptive design (cross-sectional study), 102 Iranian RAs participated in the study during 2015, completing the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSPE). Data collection was analyzed using SPSS version 17. MANOVA, independent-samples t-test, Spearman correlation and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for data analysis.


RESULTS
Mean score of JSE in the sample was 87.06 (±15.14). The mean scores for perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in the patients shoes were 38.90 (±13.11), 39.27 (±7.94), and 8.89 (±2.80) respectively. Among the three specialties, (psychiatric, internal medicine, surgery) results showed significant differences in total empathy score (p=0.001) and perspective taking score (p= 0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
this study showed significant differences in total empathy score and perspective taking in three specialties. We suggest that the curriculum in Iranian RAs include more teaching on empathy and communicational skills.
Resident of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Najmeh
N
Shahini
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Kambiz Akhavane
KA
Rezayat
Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Behdani
Student Research Committee, Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Seyed Reza Habibzadeh
SR
Shojaei
Medical Student, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Amir Akhavan
AA
Rezayat
Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Maliheh
M
Dadgarmoghaddam
Empathy; Iran; Physician; Psychometrics