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ISSN: 2394-4137 (E) 2394-6318 (P)

IJIMS.2020.105

Type of Article: Original Research

Volume 7; Issue 2: 2020

Page No.: 876-881

DOI: 10.16965/ijims.2020.105

EMPATHY IN CARIBBEAN MEDICAL STUDENTS ASSESSED USING THE TORONTO EMPATHY QUESTIONNAIRE

Yogesh Acharya 1, Fernando Isart 2, Sanket Shah 2, Pooja Patak 2, Ahmed Kour 2, Abida Sayed 2, Sateesh Babu Arja *2.

1 Western Vascular Institute, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
*2 Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherland Antilles.

Corresponding author: Dr. Satish Babu Arja, M.B.B.S., MHPE, MSPH, FAMEE, SFHEA, FIAMSE, FAcadMEd, Associate Professor of Clinical Skills, Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherland Antilles. Mob.: +599 9 788 8008 E-Mail: sarja@avalonu.org

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Empathy is the emotional process to understand a patient’s state of being and current emotion. Empathy, through humanization of medical students, plays an important role while learning and practicing the art of medicine. Our study aims to quantify empathy as an indicator of humanization, in medical students throughout their education.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed on basic medical and clinical science students at Avalon University School of Medicine, Curacao. Standard Toronto Empathy Questionnaire [TEQ] was utilized to quantify the empathy.
Results: Average TEQ scores of the basic students in MD1 – MD4 were 51.55 ± 4.16, 49.42±3.58, 46.72±4.60, 48.86±6.17 respectively. Overall TEQ scores were slightly higher in basic science students in comparison to the clinical students (48.82 ± 5.12 vs 48.74 ± 4.01, P=0.46).
Conclusions: Empathy scores were higher in basic science medical students in comparison to the clinical students. Lack of progression of empathy amongst medical students needs to be addressed. We recommend medical schools to adapt and instill the virtue of empathy in the course curriculum.
Key words: Empathy, Medical students, Medical Education, Curriculum, Cross Sectional Study.

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