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Empathy Among First-Year University Students: A Comparative Study

par Michiels, Sabine ;Etenaille, Maxime ;Demoulin, Christophe;Pitance, Laurent;Foucart, Jennifer
Référence Empathy Among First-Year University Students: A Comparative Study (09 au 13 septembre 2024: Zaragoza-Spain)
Publication Publié, 2024-09-12

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Résumé :

Background : This abstract presents the findings of a multicentric comparative experimental study that aims to compare the levels of empathy among first-year students in health sciences and non-health sciences programs at three Belgian French-speaking universities. Indeed Patient-centered care relies on therapeutic empathy. However, previous studies have indicated a decline in empathy levels among students during their medical and healthcare curricula. To address this issue, this study compares the level of empathy among health sciences students (including physiotherapists) with non-health science students across three Belgian French-speaking universities.Methods : The study included voluntary first-year undergraduate students from health sciences and non-health sciences programs. Participants with prior healthcare or empathy/communication training were excluded. An anonymous online questionnaire consisting of a socio-demographic section, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) questionnaire, and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Healthcare Professionals (Jefferson) was administered. Descriptive and non-parametric statistical analysis, including the Kruskal-Wallis test, was conducted to compare empathy scores.Results: 1787 responses were obtained. The analysis revealed a significant difference in total IRI scores between the health sciences and non-health sciences groups. A significant difference (p<.001) were observed in two IRI subscales: perspective-taking and empathic concern. Comparisons between physiotherapy students and other healthcare students, as well as among different healthcare programs, showed significant differences (p<.001) in both total IRI and Jefferson scores, as well as the scores of subscales.Discussion : The significant difference observed in empathic concern subscale scores between health sciences and non-health sciences students suggests that students interested in healthcare fields may have stronger sensitivity to others' suffering and willingness to help. Further analysis, including a factorial analysis, is ongoing to explore additional factors that may influence empathy levels. Notably, the high representation of female students in healthcare programs may influence the results, as women tend to exhibit higher levels of empathy.