Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/6528
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Type: Journal article
Title: Evaluating the outcome of communication skill teaching for entry-level students: does knowledge of empathy increase?
Author: Winefield, H.
Chur-Hansen, A.
Citation: Medical Education, 2000; 34(2):90-94
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Issue Date: 2000
ISSN: 0308-0110
1365-2923
Abstract: <h4>Background</h4>While the literature shows the clinical value for medical practitioners of skill in communicating with patients in an empathetic manner, objective evaluations of methods to teach empathy are few.<h4>Purposes</h4>This paper describes a method of teaching entry-level medical students the elements of effective communication with patients, in preparation for their first practical exercises. The paper focuses on how the outcomes of the teaching were evaluated with special attention to empathy.<h4>Methods</h4>Student evaluative ratings were collected after training, and students also completed a pencil-and-paper test of empathy, both before and after the training. While all data were anonymous, student pre- and post-training empathy scores could be compared to assess individual changes in knowledge of empathy after training.<h4>Results</h4>Most students (81%) felt better prepared to interview after the training. The pencil-and-paper measure of empathy has good reliability, both internal (alpha 0.83 and 0.91) and inter-rater (kappa 0.96). Overall, students made significant gains in their ability to make empathetic responses, although some (30%) showed no gains.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Further research is required to identify students who fail to acquire skill in expressing empathy after undergoing training, and to validate the pencil-and- paper measure of empathy against real-life performance.
Keywords: Humans
Communication
Empathy
Physician-Patient Relations
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Educational Measurement
Clinical Competence
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2923.2000.00463.x
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2000.00463.x
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Psychiatry publications

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