Medical Interns’ Empathy and Self-Efficacy in Interpersonal Communication with Patients at Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

Shakibaei   M; Salimi  Z; Fotouhi Ardakani  MA; Rashidpour   P; Bidaki  R; Yasini Ardakani  SM; Keshmiri  F

doi:10.18502/jmed.v21i1.21994

Shakibaei M Medical Doctor, School of Medicine, Research Center of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Salimi Z Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and clinical psychology Department, School of Medicine, Ebnsina Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Fotouhi Ardakani MA PhD Student of Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rashidpour P Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taft Psychiatry Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Bidaki R Full Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taft Psychiatry Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Yasini Ardakani SM Full Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Taft Psychiatry Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Keshmiri F Associate Professor of Medical Education, Medical Education Department, Educational Developmental Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmed.v21i1.21994

Keywords: Empathy; Self-efficacy; Medical interns; Communication skills; Patient interaction

Abstract

Introduction: Empathy and self-efficacy in communication with patients are critical skills for physicians and significantly influence the treatment process and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the levels of empathy and interpersonal communication self-efficacy among medical interns.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical interns of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected electronically using a demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Interpersonal Communication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression.

Results: Out of 180 distributed questionnaires, 160 were completed (response rate = 88.9%). The mean age of participants was 25.36 ± 1.22 years. The mean empathy and communication self-efficacy scores were 54.31 ± 7.50 and 86.99 ± 7.51, respectively. Male interns had significantly higher empathy scores than females (P = 0.01). Participation in communication skills training was also significantly associated with empathy. No significant differences were observed for age, grade point average, or academic year.

Conclusion: The empathy and communication self-efficacy levels of the interns were desirable. Given the positive effect of communication skills training on empathy, it is recommended that such courses be formally incorporated into the medical curriculum.