Chitrawina Mahagita. The role of dialogue workshops on empathy in medical residents. Master's Degree(Health Science Education). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2019.
The role of dialogue workshops on empathy in medical residents
Abstract:
Empathy in patient care is the cognitive attribute related to an understanding of experiences, concerns, and perspectives of the patient, with the capability to communicate this understanding, and an intention to help. This research studied the role of dialogue workshops on empathy in medical residents. The research questions were 1) Is the empathy level of medical residents in the dialogue group significantly different from the participants in the control group? and 2) How do the participants reflect on the dialogue workshop? Voluntary participants constituted 96 first-year medical residents of Phramongkutklao Hospital. They were randomized into control group (communication skills with counseling, n=47), and dialogue group (n=49). The instrument of empathy measurement was Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE), reporting total JSE and its 3 domains: perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in the patient's shoes. Results showed no significant difference regarding sex and specialties among groups. Every baseline level of pretest JSE did not significantly differ between groups. After the workshops, the difference of the pre- and post-test scores in the dialogue group were significantly higher than control group (total JSE = 5.37, t(94) = 2.90, p = 0.005) , perspective taking = 3.01, t(94) = 2.39. p = 0.019, and compassionate care = 2.51, t(94)=2.31,p =0.023), but no significant difference for the third domain (-0.14, t(94) =-0.3 1, p - 0.759). Content analyses of 4 reflection topics also correlated to the empathy definition. First, participants had learned dialogue technique and its benefits: understanding others and themselves. Second, the major feelings during the workshop were the understanding of others and themselves. Third, the transformations were the realization of listening quality, better perspective change on others and themselves. Lastly, participants reflected applying dialogue to the patients, patients' relatives, coworkers, and close people. In conclusion, the dialogue workshop significantly enhanced empathy in medical residents.