Comparing Empathy Levels in Doctor of Pharmacy Students and Exemplary Pharmacist Preceptors

Objective. To determine how student pharmacists’ empathy compares to that of exemplary pharmacist preceptors. Methods. First- through third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students and nominated preceptors demonstrating a model level of empathy in patient care were invited to take the Jefferson Scale of Emp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of pharmaceutical education 2020-03, Vol.84 (3), p.7497-318, Article 7497
Main Authors: Williams, Charlene R., Rodgers, Philip T., McLaughlin, Jacqueline E., Angelo, Thomas A., Shepherd, Greene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude of Health Personnel
Brief
Cohort Studies
Communication
Drug stores
Education
Education, Pharmacy
Empathy
Female
Health care
Humans
Male
Nominations
Patient satisfaction
Pharmaceutical Education
Pharmacists - psychology
Pharmacy
Physicians
preceptor
Preceptorship
Sex Factors
Students
Students, Pharmacy - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Objective. To determine how student pharmacists’ empathy compares to that of exemplary pharmacist preceptors. Methods. First- through third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students and nominated preceptors demonstrating a model level of empathy in patient care were invited to take the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and answer demographic questions. A comparison of total JSE scores was made between students and preceptors. Comparisons of total JSE scores were performed between male and female students, students with and without direct patient care experience, students with and without chronic care experience, and among students based on class year. A factor analysis was completed. Results. The response rate for students and preceptors was 70.3% (n=318) and 73.7% (n=14), respectively. No significant differences in median JSE scores were identified for any of the comparisons. Factor analysis revealed two factors as underlying constructs: “compassionate care” and “perspective taking.” Seven of 20 items on the JSE had mean scores >6.0 (possible range 1-7). Conclusion. The majority of students had moderately high cognitive empathy not related to class year that was similar to that of exemplary pharmacist preceptors. A possible ceiling effect was found in several items on the JSE, potentially limiting its use for measuring changes in empathy longitudinally in students with baseline high empathy.
ISSN:0002-9459
1553-6467
DOI:10.5688/ajpe7497