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Stability and Differences in Empathy Between Men and Women Medical Students: a Panel Design Study

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Abstract

Phenomenon

Empathy is central to the physician–patient relationship, and affects clinical outcomes. There is uncertainty about the stability of empathy in medical students over the course of medical school, as well as differences in empathy between men and women.

Approach

A panel study design was used to follow first year through fourth year medical students (MS1–4) during the 2018–2019 school year. Empathy was measured using the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI), a self-report scale that separates empathy into a cognitive perspective taking (PT) and affective empathic concern (EC) component.

Findings

A total of 631 (359 women and 272 men) from 970 students (65% response rate) responded to a baseline survey, and a total of 536 students (300 women and 236 men) from 970 students (55% response rate) responded to surveys throughout the year. At baseline, women had significantly higher EC scores than men (p < 0.0001), with no significant PT difference between men and women (p > 0.05). These differences were stable for all MS cohorts.

Insights

Women had self-reported higher affective empathy (EC component) than men, while there were no differences in cognitive empathy (PT component). We discuss these data in the context of defining gender vs. sex, socialized gender stereotypes, and implications for future research.

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Availability of Data and Material

Raw data were generated at The University of Minnesota. The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from Dr. Claudio Violato. The data are not publicly available due to them containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

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Acknowledgements

Jackie Gauer

Austin Calhoun

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA

    Baila Elkin, Eric Martin LaPlant & Claudio Violato

  2. Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Andrew P. J. Olson

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  1. Baila Elkin
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  2. Eric Martin LaPlant
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  3. Andrew P. J. Olson
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  4. Claudio Violato
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Correspondence to Baila Elkin.

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Elkin, B., LaPlant, E.M., Olson, A.P.J. et al. Stability and Differences in Empathy Between Men and Women Medical Students: a Panel Design Study. Med.Sci.Educ. 31, 1851–1858 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01373-0

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