A Cross‐Sectional Study of Empathy Among Dental Students at King Abdulaziz University

Naguib, Ghada Hussein; Sindi, Amal M.; Attar, Moaz H; Alshouibi, Ehab N; Hamed, Mohamed T.

doi:10.21815/jde.019.160

Cited by 16 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Literature shows that Malaysian and Indian male dental students demonstrated higher mean empathy scores than female students [ 23 , 24 ]. However, consistent with previous research in dental students [ 10 , 15 , 18 , 20 ], females had significantly higher empathy scores than males in the current study. Similarly, in the majority of studies on medical and other health profession students, the higher empathy score was reported in females than males [ 2 , 12 , 13 , 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…It was found that the female gender, high GPA, and senior class years/internship were significantly related to high empathy in our sample. The mean empathy score in our study was 96.75 ± 13.76 which is higher than that reported in a recent study of Saudi dental students by Naguib et al in Jeddah who showed that the mean empathy score was 84.84 ± 11.28 [ 18 ]. Dental literature shows varying levels of empathy in dental students in different parts of the world.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 87%

“…Our study showed a significant increase in empathy scores from the third year to sixth year and internship. A recent study of Saudi dental students reported higher empathy scores in fifth- and sixth-year students than third- and fourth-year students; however, the difference was not significant [ 18 ]. Similar trends were observed among Polish dental students who showed increased empathy scores from the first/second year to the fifth year but with no significant difference [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measuring Empathy among Dental Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study from Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Nazir

Alhareky

Alqahtani

et al. 2021

International Journal of Dentistry

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Objective. To evaluate empathy and its related factors among undergraduate dental students and interns enrolled in a public dental college in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study used the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) version to determine empathy in 362 dental students and interns in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The JSE-HPS is a 20-item 7-point Likert scale questionnaire, and its score ranges from 20 to 140 with high values indicating increased empathy. Influences of age, gender, class year, previous year’s grade point average (GPA), educational attainment of parents, and monthly family income on empathy were evaluated. Results. Of 501 enrolled students and interns, 362 returned completed questionnaires, and the response rate of the study was 72%. The sample’s empathy score (JSPE-HPS scale) ranged from 70 to 129 with a mean of 96.75 (±13.76). Most participants believed that empathy is important for effective communication with patients (96.1%) and can improve the provider-patient relationship (95.6%). Females demonstrated a significantly higher mean empathy score (99.98 ± 14.01) than males (92.72 ± 12.35) ( P < 0.001 ). Similarly, the participants with high GPA (98.06 ± 13.69) had significantly greater mean empathy scores than those with low GPA (94.84 ± 13.68) ( P = 0.029 ). The mean empathy score increased significantly from junior students (3rd and 4th year students) to senior students (5th and 6th year students) and interns ( P = 0.008 ). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that class year (B = 2.03, P = 0.006 ) and GPA (B = 8.67, P = 0.003 ) were significant factors associated with empathy. Conclusions. Empathy is important for effective patient communication and improved provider-patient relationship. Female gender, high GPA, and class years were associated with empathy. Empathy should be integrated into dental curricula for effective student learning and positive patient care outcomes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Measuring Empathy among Dental Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study from Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Nazir

Alhareky

Alqahtani

et al. 2021

International Journal of Dentistry

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“…The fifth and sixth year students had higher scores than the third and fourth year students although the differences were not statistically significant. 24 Furthermore, a study on Polish dental students showed an increase in empathy from the first and second to fourth years, where it reached its maximum. Levels decreased during the fifth year with students having to meet a set target to finish the course.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fifth and sixth year students had higher scores than the third and fourth year students although the differences were not statistically significant. 24 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Levels of Empathy among Undergraduate Dental Students in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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Objective The purpose of our study is to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of empathy toward patients among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted at Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. After taking an informed consent, a validated and pretested Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental students at two points, one before the COVID-19 existed, and the other after August 7th, 2020, when the COVID-19 cases dropped in Pakistan. Responses were indicated on a five point Likert Scale. Statistical Analysis A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to compare the TEQ scores between the different years of education at the dental school. Difference within the groups was analyzed using the post-hoc Tukey test. Pre- and post-COVID-19 comparison was done using the Chi-square test (significance level p < 0.05). Results A total of 221 out of 260 students in the pre-COVID-19 group, while 210 out of 260 students in the post-COVID-19 group enrolled in the dentistry program participated in the study. Significant difference in the empathy levels was observed in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups of the same population, i.e., (p < 0.05). The response rate was 85%. Conclusions This study showed an increase in mean empathy scores among the undergraduate dental students after COVID-19, indicating a significant improvement in their empathy levels during the time of COVID-19. It highlights the impact of the pandemic, whereby death and chaos seem to have brought about an improvement in interpersonal harmony.

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Appraisal of empathy among dental interns and postgraduate students at King Abdulaziz University: A cross‐sectional study

Naguib

Ghandour

Alnowaiser

et al. 2022

Journal of Dental Education

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Purpose/Objectives Empathetic communication of dentists with their patients is a primary characteristic of their health care. This study aims to evaluate dental students’ empathy levels during the transitional period of internship and postgraduate studies of different specialties at one of the oldest dental schools in Saudi Arabia and explore how this empathy was affected by gender, age, and study duration. Methods In this study, the self‐reported empathy level among the participants was assessed using the Jefferson scale of empathy‐student version (JSE‐HPS). This survey includes a 20‐question Likert scale formulated to measure clinical empathy in health care professionals. The JSE‐HPS was distributed to all registered dental interns and postgraduate students during the academic year 2019–20 in King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Mean total score of empathy of the participants was (101.07 ± 14.8) with a response rate of 89%. A statistically significant higher empathy score appeared among dental postgraduate students in general (p = 0.04) and specifically among the females (p = 0.04) and those with postgraduate programs for more than four years, (p = 0.02). Dental postgraduate students scored significantly higher in the parameters of standing in patients’ shoes (p = 0.02). Conclusion Gender, academic level, and duration of postgraduates' studies influenced empathy more than the age of the dental graduates in KAUFD. Our recommendation is to integrate empathy into the dental curriculum emphasizing interactive communication skills and early patient contact.

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A Cross‐Sectional Study of Empathy Among Dental Students at King Abdulaziz University

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

Measuring Empathy among Dental Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study from Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Measuring Empathy among Dental Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study from Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Levels of Empathy among Undergraduate Dental Students in Pakistan

Appraisal of empathy among dental interns and postgraduate students at King Abdulaziz University: A cross‐sectional study

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