Student empathy in standardized patient experiences: Applying concepts from a critical thinking emulation model.

Introduction: Clinician empathy can improve patient outcomes, but the literature is scant on patient-based, student-led experiences to demonstrate the projection of empathy in patient interactions.

Purpose/objectives: (1) Develop a learning guide for observable behaviors communicating emotional and cognitive empathy and (2) determine whether the learning guide can be used as a rubric for assessing empathy in a standardized patient experience.

Methods: Eleven standardized patients assessed 80 D3 students using a 4-point interval scale on 19 behavioral criteria in four domains: Initiation (four criteria); Health History and Caries Risk (four criteria); Treatment Planning (six criteria); and Communication Skills (five criteria). Standardized patients also provided qualitative feedback.

Results: Standardized patients completed all 1520 interval scales on the rubric and 94% of 320 open-ended entries. Students performed well. Of the 1520 criterion interval scales, 1242 (81.7%) were rated "excellent." Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed Initiation scores (Mean [M] = 3.82, Standard deviation [SD] = 0.28) and Treatment Planning scores (M = 3.82, SD = 0.36) were significantly higher than Health History Scores (M = 3.75, SD = 0.34; p < 0.05). Qualitative feedback also was overwhelmingly positive for Treatment Planning and more equivocal for Health History.

Conclusions: The emulation model for students to demonstrate observable aspects of empathy is viable as both a learning guide and evaluation rubric in a standardized patient format. The next steps include the development of a succinct skillset for reinforcement in the patient setting and continued discussion on what best captures core observable aspects of empathy.