A cross-sectional study of factors determining empathy levels among undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Northern Telangana

Background: The development of an ideal doctor-patient relationship requires empathy. Empathetic conversation aids in the formation of an open and trusting equation between doctor and patient. Furthermore, this leads to accurate diagnoses and more compliance to the advised treatment. In this manner, empathy helps in overall recovery of the patient and improves global functioning and generalised well-being. This study aims to make note of the fluctuation in empathy levels during medical education. Studies done in various countries have found factors such as curriculum, clinical rotations timing and gender to progressively influences empathy levels in students throughout their medical training. The recent trend of violence against healthcare professionals in India calls for an urgent action into the gap between doctors and patients communication. Empathy towards patients and attendants will reduce such untoward events. In this current context, we should improve empathy levels among the training doctors. As a first step, we should assess various factors affecting empathy among health care professionals. Method: This cross sectional study was done among undergraduates of a rural medical college in Northern Telangana during the time period of October to December 2019. Their empathy levels were assessed using Jefferson’s Scale for Empathy- Student version (JSE-S). Result: Of the 470 students surveyed, 227 were males and 243 females. Female students were having higher empathy among first year and second years (p0.05). Conclusion: Female undergraduate students are found to be more empathetic than their male counterparts. A fall in empathy scores from the first to second year of MBBS is seen, which is when students enter their clinical rotations. Targeted intervention at this time may go a long way in the creation of a new generation of more empathetic physicians. Hence, there is a need for evaluation of teaching and learning techniques in medical education. Further, there is a call for more research into the determinants of decline in empathy amongst medical professionals.