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Ahmadipour H, Soltanzadeh N. Cognitive empathy variations during internship: a study from Iran. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:813. [PMID: 39075399 PMCID: PMC11285376 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the critical role of empathy in medical students, various studies have provided conflicting evidence regarding changes in empathy during medical study. The present study was designed to investigate changes in cognitive empathy during the internship. METHOD A study was conducted at the Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. All medical students at the beginning of their internship were entered the study as a cohort and asked to complete a two-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version (JSE-S). The questionnaire was completed again at the end of the internship. Data were analyzed using SPSS software using paired t- test and one-way repeated measures. RESULTS A total of 108 interns participated with a mean age of 23.85 ± 1.47 years, and a female majority (61.1%). The mean score of standing in the patient's shoe increased significantly (P < 0.001) during the internship, whereas the mean score of compassionate care decreased (P < 0.001). The overall score of empathy decreased during the internship, but the difference was not statistically significant. (P = 0.105). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean score of empathy and its subscales based on demographic characteristics in the two phases of the study. CONCLUSION our results revealed that the level of cognitive empathy in the current study was higher than that in previous studies. The changes were consistent with some studies and contradictory to others. Considering that similar changes were observed in the subgroup analysis, it is necessary to focus more on the factors that cause this feeling to fade during the internship through appropriate assessment and timely intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habibeh Ahmadipour
- Community Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Medical Education Leadership and Management Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Niloofar Soltanzadeh
- Community Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Gao M, Lu Y, Zhang L, Shi M, Zhou H, Zhou H, Kuang X, Li Y. Social anxiety, self-esteem and quality of life among hypertensive patients during COVID-19 local epidemic in China: A mediation analysis. Nurs Open 2024; 11:e2014. [PMID: 38268276 PMCID: PMC10697854 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the mediating role of self-esteem in social anxiety and QoL during the COVID-19 local epidemic in China. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey. METHODS This study conveniently selected 344 hypertensive patients from a Grade-A tertiary hospital in Wuhu, Anhui Province, as the study population. Participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the social phobia inventory, the self-esteem scale and the 36-item short-form health survey. RESULTS Social anxiety, self-esteem and QoL were significantly correlated with each other. Social anxiety showed no direct effect on QoL (β = 0.011, p > 0.05). Social anxiety showed an indirect effect on QoL (β = -0.248, p < 0.001). Self-esteem fully mediated the association between social anxiety and QoL in hypertensive patients. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION Hypertensive patients in this study were participants during the data collection process. Nursing staff from the cardiology department at the hospital of a hospital in Wuhu City, Anhui Province assisted in the recruitment phase of the data collection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhao Gao
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Yidan Lu
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Min Shi
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Haoran Zhou
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Helian Zhou
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Xia Kuang
- Cardiovascular DepartmentFirst Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
| | - Yuanzhen Li
- School of NursingWannan Medical CollegeWuhuChina
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Patejdl R, Demir IE, Frieling T, Goebel-Stengel M, Günther L, Keller J, Niesler B, Stengel A, Neckel PH. Curricular representation of neurogastroenterology: A survey among medical students in Germany. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2023; 35:e14557. [PMID: 36893050 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurogastroenterological disorders (NGDs) are highly prevalent and substantially impact patients' quality of life. Effective treatment of NGDs depends on the competence and training of medical caregivers. Students' perceived competence in neurogastroenterology and its place in medical school curricula are assessed in this study. METHODS A multi-center digital survey among medical students was conducted at five universities. Self-ratings of competence regarding basic mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of six chronic medical conditions were assessed. These included irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and achalasia. Ulcerative colitis, hypertension, and migraine were included as references. KEY RESULTS Of 231 participants, 38% remembered that neurogastroenterology was covered in their curriculum. Highest competence ratings were stated for hypertension and the lowest for IBS. These findings were identical for all institutions irrespective of their curricular model and demographic parameters. Students who remembered neurogastroenterology as a part of their curriculum reported higher competence ratings. According to 72% of students, NGDs should be highlighted more prominently in the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Despite its epidemiological relevance, neurogastroenterology is only weakly represented in medical curricula. Students report low levels of subjective competence in handling NGDs. In general, assessing the learners' perspective on an empirical basis may enrichen the process of national standardization of medical school curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Patejdl
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ihsan Ekin Demir
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Frieling
- Department of Gastroenterology, Helios Hospital Krefeld, Krefeld, Germany
| | - Miriam Goebel-Stengel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lydia Günther
- Division of Medical Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jutta Keller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Israelite Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Niesler
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter H Neckel
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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D'Alva-Teixeira V, Picó-Pérez M, Morgado P. Determinants of Poor Mental Health of Medical Students in Portugal-A Nationwide Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1991. [PMID: 37510433 PMCID: PMC10379586 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11141991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical students are a population that is vulnerable to the development of anxiety, depression, and burnout. This observational cross-sectional study sought to assess the levels of distress and identify precipitating factors in all students enrolled in a Portuguese medical school during the academic year of 2022/23. Students (n = 768) were surveyed via validated instruments to measure anxiety, depression, and burnout. Sociodemographic information was also collected through a questionnaire. The study indicated that almost half of this population had depressive symptoms. No differences were found in distress levels between medical schools, and when comparing curricular years, higher levels of distress were found in the pre-clinical years in comparison to the clinical ones. Burnout, being a woman, the existence of physical health problems, homo- and bisexual orientations, affective family problems, problems with relationships in the academic community, difficulties in academic performance, and daily organization were identified as predictors of distress. On the other hand, satisfaction with the social support received and with academic ratings were identified as protective factors. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of distress in medical students, which is associated with personal, physical, social, economic, and academic factors. The identification of predictive factors of distress may allow for the early identification of vulnerable students and for intervention and prevention strategies to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia D'Alva-Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Picó-Pérez
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Departamento de Psicología Básica, Clínica y Psicobiología, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Pedro Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- 2CA-Braga Cinical Academic Center, Hospital de Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
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Tran MAQ, Hà TA, Chau NNT, Dang TAN, Ngo VT. Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Empathy Among Vietnamese University Students. JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY 2022; 41:1-15. [PMID: 36247046 PMCID: PMC9549816 DOI: 10.1007/s10942-022-00484-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Empathy is a critical element of subjective well-being and an important personality trait among undergraduate students. To improve empathy among undergraduate students, the current study examined the relationship between self-compassion and empathy and the mediating role of self-esteem in this relationship. Participants were six hundred and twenty-two (320 males and 302 females) students from five Vietnamese universities, aged 18-21 years (M age = 19.5; SD age = 0.95 years), who completed the self-compassion scale (SCS), empathy scale in adults (BES-A), and self-esteem scale of Toulouse (ETES). The results indicated that (1) self-compassion was positively associated with empathy; (2) self-esteem mediated the relationship between the two variables. Therefore, enhancing undergraduate students' self-compassion may be an effective way to improve their empathy. However, additional studies are required to elucidate the role of self-compassion in the educational context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Anh Quang Tran
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan City, 701 Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Tú Anh Hà
- Present Address: FPT University, Ha Noi City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Ngoc Thao Chau
- University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thien An Nguyen Dang
- Department of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Vinh Tai Ngo
- Department of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Formative Assessment of Diagnostic Testing in Family Medicine with Comprehensive MCQ Followed by Certainty-Based Mark. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10081558. [PMID: 36011215 PMCID: PMC9408718 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10081558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The choice of diagnostic tests in front of a given clinical case is a major part of medical reasoning. Failure to prescribe the right test can lead to serious diagnostic errors. Furthermore, unnecessary medical tests are a waste of money and could possibly generate injuries to patients, especially in family medicine. Methods: In an effort to improve the training of our students to the choice of laboratory and imaging studies, we implemented a specific multiple-choice questions (MCQ), called comprehensive MCQ (cMCQ), with a fixed and high number of options matching various basic medical tests, followed by a certainty-based mark (CBM). This tool was used in the assessment of diagnostic test choice in various clinical cases of general practice in 456 sixth-year medical students. Results: The scores were significantly correlated with the traditional exams (standard MCQ), with matched themes. The proportion of “cMCQ/CBM score” variance explained by “standard MCQ score” was 21.3%. The cMCQ placed students in a situation closer to practice reality than standard MCQ. In addition to its usefulness as an assessment tool, those tests had a formative value and allowed students to work on their ability to measure their doubt/certainty in order to develop a reflexive approach, required for their future professional practice. Conclusion: cMCQ followed by CBM is a feasible and reliable evaluation method for the assessment of diagnostic testing.
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Molero Jurado MDM, Pérez-Fuentes MDC, Martos Martínez Á, Gázquez Linares JJ. Emotional intelligence and self-esteem: Personal competencies necessary for physicians. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:965417. [PMID: 35979217 PMCID: PMC9376887 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.965417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Even though emotional intelligence and self-esteem are truly important variables in healthcare, the fact is that there are few studies on these constructs in Spanish physicians. The objective was to analyze the relationship between self-esteem and emotional intelligence in Spanish physicians, and their relationship with sociodemographic and employment variables. Methods The study included a sample of 180 physicians with a mean age of 34.61, 76.7% of whom were women. The physician completed the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory for Senior Citizens and a questionnaire on sociodemographic and work characteristics through a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing). Results The results showed that the interpersonal factor of emotional intelligence diminished with age and number of children. Furthermore, women scored significantly higher in interpersonal emotional intelligence and men in adaptability. Physicians with stable contracts (46.1%) scored higher in all the emotional intelligence variables, with almost a small effect size. In the relationship between self-esteem and emotional intelligence, it was found that global self-esteem of physicians was positively related to the Stress Management, Adaptability and Mood dimensions. Physicians with high self-esteem (72.8%) showed better Stress Management and Mood than those with low self-esteem (6.1%), while in the Adaptability factor, physicians with high global self-esteem scored higher than those with medium levels (21.1%). Conclusion The need for a stable employment strategy was demonstrated, since this has repercussions on personal competencies of physicians as well as training in developing those consequences, since they improve physicians' quality of care and leadership, especially women with temporary contracts or with medium or low self-esteem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Politécnica y Artística del Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay
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Geng Y, Fei W, Tang Z, Wang S, Yu J, Zhang M, Zhang T. Parental care and depressive symptoms among Chinese medical students: roles of empathy and gender. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:451. [PMID: 35689260 PMCID: PMC9188078 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03524-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical students in China who face the dual pressure of study and employment tend to experience subclinical depressive symptoms. Parental care plays an important direct and indirect role in the psychological development of medical students, and the extent and mechanism of this role urgently need to be studied and discussed. METHODS After simple random sampling and screening of valid questionnaires, data from a total of 924 people were used. The participants completed the parental bonding instrument, self-rating depression scale, Chinese version of the Jefferson empathy scale-medical student edition and self-rating anxiety scale to evaluate parental care, empathy, depressive symptoms and anxiety. The data were statistically processed using a descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and test of moderated mediation. RESULTS Maternal care had a significant negative predictive effect on depressive symptoms among medical students. Strong maternal care can reduce the occurrence of depressive symptoms in medical students. Empathy played a positive mediating role such that both types of empathy could alleviate the effect of weak maternal care on the depressive symptoms of medical students. However, neither cognitive empathy nor affective empathy played a mediating role in the relationship between paternal care and depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, the relationship between maternal care and empathy was moderated by the medical students' gender. CONCLUSIONS The effect of this relationship on female medical students deserves special attention. The results of this study provide a reference and basis for the adjustment of medical education. This study could also help in the design of effective psychological intervention measures to reduce the degree of depressive symptoms and enhance personal empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Geng
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Fei
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhengyu Tang
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shaishai Wang
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiachun Yu
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China.
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Voultsos P, Chatzinikolaou F, Papana A, Deliligka A. Reliability of Greek version of the Toronto empathy questionnaire in medical students and associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:113. [PMID: 35501889 PMCID: PMC9063083 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00824-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Empathy is an important key driver of any therapeutic relationship. It is beneficial for both physicians and patients. Enhancing physician's empathy should be an important goal of medical education. As there was a literature gap regarding the topic of empathy among medical students in Greece, this study aimed to contribute to filling this gap. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the 52-item Greek version of the Toronto composite empathy scale (TCES) for measuring the cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy in both personal and professional life was administered to all the medical students in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. Descriptive statistics were displayed for demographics. The associations of the variables were quantified by Chi-2 independence tests and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was determined by Cronbach's α, Hotelling's T-Squared Test, and Pearson correlation. Paired and Independent Sample T-Tests and One-way ANOVAs indicated statistically significant mean differences among the variables or subgroups of the variables. RESULTS The 52-item TCES, 26 for the personal (Per) setting and another 26 for professional (Pro) life, equally divided into cognitive (Cog) and emotional (Emo) empathy in each case. The overall reliability of the TCES questionnaire was found to be high (Cronbach's α = 0.895, significant positive correlations between the subscales). The mean total score of empathy showed that students had a moderately high empathy. Further, there was a statistically significant difference in means between the Per-Cog and Per-Emo settings (p < 0.001), the Pro-Cog and Pro-Emo (p < 0.001), the Per-Cog and Pro-Cog (p = 0.004), and the Per-Emo and Pro-Emo (p < 0.001). Females had significantly higher empathy scores (mean score 208.04) than males (192.5) on the Per-Cog, Per-Emo and Pro-Emo subscales. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between empathy and factors such as love for animals, interest in medical ethics, belief in God, having an ill person in the family, class year or carrier intention. CONCLUSIONS The TCES is applicable to medical students. For the most part our findings were consistent with previous literature. However, we identified some nuances that might draw researchers' attention. The results of this study may contribute to plan interventions in the curriculum to enhance empathy in the medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polychronis Voultsos
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Medical Law and Ethics), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, University Campus, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Fotios Chatzinikolaou
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Medical Law and Ethics), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, University Campus, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Angeliki Papana
- Department of Economics, School of Economics and Regional Studies, University of Macedonia, Egnatia Str 156, 546 36, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aspasia Deliligka
- AHEPA University Hospital, Kiriakidi Str 1, 546 21, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Shrestha B, Yadav S, Dhakal S, Ghimire P, Shrestha Y, Singh Rathaure E. Status of self-esteem in medical students at a college in Kathmandu: A descriptive cross-sectional study. F1000Res 2022; 10:1031. [PMID: 35464184 PMCID: PMC9021663 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.72824.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Self-esteem is vital to living a happy, confident and content life. Medical students experience various forms of stress due to academic, financial and social pressures which could affect their levels of self-esteem. This study aims to study the status of self-esteem among undergraduates of a medical college at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Methods: After receiving the ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of NAIHS; we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among the first- to fifth-year medical students from December 2020 to April 2021. 190 were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling technique. This study used the Rosenberg self-esteem scale to measure self–esteem of the participants. A Google Forms questionnaire was sent to the participants via email. Then, the data obtained were entered in the Google sheet and later analyzed using SPSS 27. A Chi-square test was used to identify potential differences in self-esteem scores among different variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study included a total of 180 participants, among which, 18.9% (13.19% to 24.61%; at 95% CI) students showed low self -esteem. 74.4% (68.02% to 80.78%; at 95% CI) students had normal self-esteem and 6.7% (3.05% to 10.35%; at 95% CI) students had high self-esteem. The mean self-esteem score was 19.19 (15.01 to 23.37; at 95% CI). Female participants suffered more than males from low self-esteem, and third-year students had the highest percentage of low self-esteem (30.77%). Conclusion: The majority (74.4%) of medical students had normal self-esteem. However, 18.9% students had low self-esteem, among which, third-year students suffered the most (30.77%). Likewise, females exhibited higher prevalence of low self-esteem compared to males. Interventions to boost the level of self-esteem should be carried out to help medical students become confident and efficient doctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikal Shrestha
- Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Stuti Yadav
- Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Subodh Dhakal
- Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Pooja Ghimire
- Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Yubika Shrestha
- Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Ela Singh Rathaure
- Epidemiology and Disease control division, USAID, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
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Nasiri M, Amini M, Mani A, Delavari S, Kiani M, Sagheb MM, Tabari P. Assessing empathy in final-year medical students using the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2021; 10:310. [PMID: 34667810 PMCID: PMC8459864 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1539_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A doctor-patient relationship built on the concept of empathy is so essential to attain the best clinical outcomes in medicine. Since empathy has a positive role in interpersonal relationships and medical outcomes, its assessment is highly crucial. The aim of this study was to assess the empathy in last-year medical students using the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and correlate empathy scores with demographic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, last-year medical students at Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz, Iran, were recruited for this study. In this research, we used the Persian version of JSPE. The validity and reliability of the Persian version of this tool were confirmed in the previous research. For the analysis of data, we employed descriptive statistics and the independent sample t-test. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-five final-year medical students were included in this study. The maximum score of the questionnaire was 140, and the total mean score of empathy was 98.15 ± 13.29. The females' total mean score (102.05 ± 11.89) was higher than the males' score (93.57 ± 13.46). The difference between the mean score of gender and empathy was significant (P value <.001), but there was no significant difference between empathy and the two other demographic factors (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although physicians would gain the essential characteristics of empathy during their career, attending professors and other responsible policymakers in medical education should focus more on the factors related to physicians' empathy to train better and more professional physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Nasiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mitra Amini
- Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Arash Mani
- Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Delavari
- Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Kiani
- Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Sagheb
- Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parinaz Tabari
- Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Ghaus S, Waheed MA, Khan SZ, Mustafa L, Siddique S, Quershi AW. Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Levels of Empathy among Undergraduate Dental Students in Pakistan. Eur J Dent 2020; 14:S110-S115. [PMID: 33368066 PMCID: PMC7775212 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of our study is to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of empathy toward patients among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan.
Materials and Methods
A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted at Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. After taking an informed consent, a validated and pretested Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental students at two points, one before the COVID-19 existed, and the other after August 7th, 2020, when the COVID-19 cases dropped in Pakistan. Responses were indicated on a five point Likert Scale.
Statistical Analysis
A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to compare the TEQ scores between the different years of education at the dental school. Difference within the groups was analyzed using the post-hoc Tukey test. Pre- and post-COVID-19 comparison was done using the Chi-square test (significance level
p
< 0.05).
Results
A total of 221 out of 260 students in the pre-COVID-19 group, while 210 out of 260 students in the post-COVID-19 group enrolled in the dentistry program participated in the study. Significant difference in the empathy levels was observed in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups of the same population, i.e., (
p
< 0.05). The response rate was 85%.
Conclusions
This study showed an increase in mean empathy scores among the undergraduate dental students after COVID-19, indicating a significant improvement in their empathy levels during the time of COVID-19. It highlights the impact of the pandemic, whereby death and chaos seem to have brought about an improvement in interpersonal harmony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundas Ghaus
- Department of Dental Materials, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Madiha Abdul Waheed
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahreen Zahid Khan
- Department of Dental Materials, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, SMME, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Laila Mustafa
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sohaib Siddique
- Department of Periodontics, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Waqar Quershi
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Shifa College of Dentistry, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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13
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Ye X, Guo H, Xu Z, Xiao H. Empathy variation of undergraduate medical students after early clinical contact: a cross-sectional study in China. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035690. [PMID: 32690511 PMCID: PMC7371130 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Empathy education is very important for medical students. There is little research on the influence of early clinical practice on the development of empathy and other aspects of professionalism in medical students. The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported empathy levels of first-year and second-year undergraduate medical students before and after their early clinical contact curriculum. SETTING The study was conducted at the Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 257 undergraduate medical students participated in the study. The 154 first-year students were studying in 10 community-based teaching hospitals, and the 103 second-year students were studying in 3 university-affiliated hospitals. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary measures: the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student version (JSE-S) was compared between students of different sexes and in different academic years before their early clinical contact course. Secondary measures: comparisons were made after they finished the curriculum 3 weeks later. RESULTS A total of 219 of 257 students responded (85.21% response rate), and 214 answers could be analysed (135 first-year and 79 second-year students; 120 female and 94 male individuals). No significant differences in the empathy scores before early clinical contact were observed between students of different sexes and in different academic years. After early clinical contact, the mean JSE-S score of the participants was significantly higher than the mean score at the beginning of the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Empathy-focused training during early clinical contact can improve the empathetic capacity of undergraduate medical students. Fostering empathetic attitudes among undergraduate medical students is necessary for the early stage of their medical education. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of empathy-focused education in entry-level medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Ye
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiying Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Xu
- Education Department, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Kupcewicz E, Jóźwik M. Role of Global Self-Esteem, Professional Burnout and Selected Socio-Demographic Variables in the Prediction of Polish Nurses' Quality of Life - A Cross-Sectional Study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020; 13:671-684. [PMID: 32617029 PMCID: PMC7326165 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s252270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the study was to analyze the role of global self-esteem and professional burnout in predicting Polish nurses’ quality of life. Materials and Methods The research involved 1806 nurses who were employed in 23 hospitals in north-eastern Poland. Forty-seven percent of nurses, aged ≤44 years, were qualified to Group 1, while 53% of nurses, aged ≥45 years, were included in Group 2. A diagnostic survey was applied as a research method. For the collection of data, the WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Copenhagen Professional Burnout Inventory were used. For the statistical analysis, the significance level of P < 0.05 was adopted. Results Global self-esteem had a positive orientation towards the prediction of the quality of life among the younger nurse group in the psychological and social domains by explaining 20% (ßeta = 0.33; R2 = 0.20) and 15% (ßeta = 0.28; R2 = 0.15) of the result variation, respectively. In the older nurse group, personal burnout, which took a negative orientation in the somatic (ßeta = −0.33 R2 = 0.19), social (ßeta = −0.37; R2 = 0.17) and environmental domains (ßeta = −0.28; R2 = 0.32), had the greatest share in predicting the quality of life. Conclusion There is a need for the implementation of professional burnout prevention programs, as professional burnout adversely affects the quality of life in the somatic, social and environmental domain, particularly in the older nurse group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kupcewicz
- Department of Nursing, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Marcin Jóźwik
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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15
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Akgün Ö, Akdeniz M, Kavukcu E, Avcı HH. Medical Students' Empathy Level Differences by Medical Year, Gender, and Specialty Interest in Akdeniz University. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT 2020; 7:2382120520940658. [PMID: 32923670 PMCID: PMC7446269 DOI: 10.1177/2382120520940658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an important feature in patient-physician communication for both primary and clinical care, empathy is one of the basic competencies that physicians should possess. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the level of empathy among medical students in all years of medical training using two different instruments: the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (for clinical empathy level) and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (for general empathy level). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in 2017-2018 academic year with students studying at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. Data collection form, Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) and Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) was applied to the students by the researchers. The statistical analysis was carried out by using IBM-SPSS version 23 for Mac OS. T-test, ANOVA test, Spearman and Pearson correlation analysis were used for comparisons. RESULTS The mean TEQ score of the students was 52.8/65 and the JSPE-S score was 80.3/100. TEQ scores of students increased up to 4th year and then decreased, but the difference between the years was not statistically significant. The third year students' JSPE-S scores were significantly higher than that of the sixth year students. CONCLUSION While the clinical empathy levels of medical students decreased significantly after 3rd year, the general empathy levels decreased less. This result shows us that we should review our medical education curriculum and educational environment, and should initiate initiatives, and devote more time to empathy education in order to prevent the decrease in empathy level and increase empathy during medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Akgün
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Melahat Akdeniz
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ethem Kavukcu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hasan Hüseyin Avcı
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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