Relationship of trainee dentists’ self-reported empathy and communication behaviors with simulated patients’ assessment in medical interviews

Abstract

ObjectivesWe aimed to clarify the communication behaviors between trainee dentists and simulated patients (SPs), to examine how the level of trainee dentists’ self-reported empathy influences assessment by SPs in medical interviews.Materials and methodsThe study involved 100 trainee dentists at Okayama University Hospital and eight SPs. The trainee dentists conducted initial interviews with the SPs after completing the Japanese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE). All interviews were recorded and analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). The SPs assessed the trainees’ communication immediately after each interview. The trainee dentists were classified into two groups (more positive and less positive) according to SP assessment scores.ResultsCompared with less-positive trainees, the more-positive trainees scored higher in the RIAS category of emotional expression and lower in the medical data gathering category. There was no difference in dental data gathering between the two groups. SP ratings for more-positive trainees were higher for use of positive talk and emotional expression and lower for giving medical information and dental information. Trainees with more positive ratings from SPs had significantly higher JSE total scores.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that responding to the emotions of patients is an important behavior in dentist-patient communication, according to SPs’ positive assessment in medical interviews. Further, SPs’ assessment of trainees’ communication was related to trainees’ self-reported empathy, which indicates that an empathic attitude among dentists is a significant determinant of patient satisfaction.

Does postgraduate clinical training reduce empathy among Japanese trainee dentists? A multi-perspective assessment

“…The decrease in the trainees' legitimizing and empathic communication may have prevented patients from raising concerns. This was consistent with our previous study [36]. However, considering the fact that total patient assessment has not declined, the effects of trainees' empathic attitudes may have a limited effect on SP satisfaction.…”

Does Postgraduate Clinical Training Reduce Empathy Among Japanese Trainee Dentists? A Multi-perspective Assessment

“…The decrease in the trainees' legitimizing and empathic communication may prevent patients from raising concerns. This is consistent with our previous study [34]. However, considering the fact that total patient assessment has not declined, the effects of trainees' empathic attitudes may have a limited effect on SP satisfaction.…”

Medical students’ empathy and attitudes towards professionalism: Relationship with personality, specialty preference and medical programme

“…Opposite findings originated from a recent international validation study employing a using a novel professionalism measurement tool for physicians and nurses, demonstrated a significant association between self-reported positive attitudes towards professionalism and participation in professionalism-linked behaviours including quality improvement initiatives [55]. Additionally, recent studies have identified significant correlations between self-reported empathy and quality of patient-centred communication in medical trainees [56], trainee dentists [57], and emergence medicine physicians [58]. The challenge of clarifying and characterizing the specific share of clinical empathy or professionalism captured by self-reported measures calls for further research.…”