Relationship Between Medical Student Service and Empathy
Publication/Presentation Date
10-2011
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Student participation in service activities during medical school is believed to enhance student professionalism and empathy. Yet, there are no studies that measure medical student empathy levels in relation to service activities.
METHOD: Medical students from four classes (2007-2010) were surveyed at graduation using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version and questions about service activity during medical school. For two classes, empathy scores were also obtained at orientation. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Means comparison tests were performed.
RESULTS: Mean empathy scores at graduation were higher for students who participated in service activities compared with those who reported no service (115.18 versus 107.97, P < .001). At orientation, students with no service had lower empathy scores, and those with any service had higher empathy scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Student empathy and service activities during medical school are related. This may have implications for admissions committees.
Volume
86
Issue
10 Suppl
First Page
42
Last Page
45
ISSN
1938-808X
Published In/Presented At
Brazeau, C., Schroeder, R., Rovi, S., & Boyd, L. (2011). Relationship between medical student service and empathy. Academic Medicine: Journal Of The Association Of American Medical Colleges, 86(10 Suppl), S42-S45. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e31822a6ae0
Disciplines
Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Primary Care
PubMedID
21955767
LVHN link
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=21955767&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Document Type
Article