Background: Empathy with patients improves clinical outcomes. Although previous studies have shown no significant differences in empathy levels between physicians and nurses, investigations have not considered differences in cultural backgrounds and related factors of healthcare providers at the individual level.
Objective: This study compares empathy between physicians and nurses in Japan and identifies relevant factors that contribute to these differences.
Purpose Of Study: A physician's ability to empathize is crucial for patient health outcomes, and this differs according to speciality, personal characteristics, and environmental factors. This study aimed to examine the empathy levels among physicians based on their specialities and to identify the influencing factors.
Study Design: A nationwide, online, cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Nikkei Business Publication online physician member homepage.
Empathy is essential for physicians to provide patient-centered care. Nevertheless, the degree to which empathy varies among medical residents based on their desired future specialty remains undetermined. This nationwide cross-sectional study compared empathy levels (Jefferson Scale of Empathy, JSE) of 824 year one and two postgraduate residents in Japan by intended medical specialty, individual characteristics, and training and working environment characteristics.
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