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Effect of a Single-Session Communication Skills Training on Empathy in Medical Students

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Abstract

Objective

Empathy scores have been found to decline over the years spent in medical school. The authors aimed to evaluate the change in empathy levels in medical students following a single-session communication skills training.

Methods

Eighty-two second-year medical students were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention comprised of a single-session empathetic communication skills training using PowerPoint, video clips, and roleplay. Empathy was assessed using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student version (JSE) at baseline, post-intervention (for the intervention group), and at follow up after 3 weeks.

Results

The mean JSE score of the intervention group was 109.7 ± 11.8 at baseline, with significant improvement post-intervention (114.2 ± 10.6, p = 0.014). However, the score declined at the 3-week follow-up (106.8 ± 11.8). The mean baseline JSE score of the control group was 107.5 ± 12.4, with a decline at follow-up (101.8 ± 16.0). Though both groups showed a decline in the JSE score at follow-up, the decline was significant only for the control group (p = 0.020), which did not receive the training.

Conclusions

The study showed significant improvement immediately, and lower decline at follow-up, in empathy levels following a communication skills training. The findings suggest a need to incorporate a regular training program into the existing medical curriculum, to enhance empathy and prevent its decline over the years.

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Authors and Affiliations

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Correspondence to Smitha L. Rasquinha.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Mohammadreza Hojat and team, Thomas Jefferson University, for permission to use the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-student version; Mr. Ashwin Kola and Dr. Mohamed Faizan for technical support; and Dr. Pradyumna Rao for help with statistical analysis.

Ethical Considerations

The study has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Ref No. IEC KMC MLR 10-17/190.

Disclosures

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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D’souza, P.C., Rasquinha, S.L., D’souza, T.L. et al. Effect of a Single-Session Communication Skills Training on Empathy in Medical Students. Acad Psychiatry 44, 289–294 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-019-01158-z

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