A survey of clinical empathy training at UK medical schools.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The benefits of enhancing practitioner empathy include better patient outcomes and improved job satisfaction for practitioners. Evidence suggests empathy can be taught and empathy is listed as an outcome for graduates in the General Medical Council requirements. Despite this, empathy training is not mandatory on medical school curricula and the extent to which medical students are given empathy-specific training is unknown.

Aim

To conduct a survey of empathy training currently offered to medical students in UK medical schools.

Methods

An invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to all UK medical schools (n = 40). The survey was developed through a consultancy and pilot process to ensure validity and reliability. Questions explored what empathy

SUBMITTER: Winter R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9850684 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature