Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study
Abstract Background Empathy is a key competency and is essential for doctor-patient relationships. Studies have proven a continuous reduction of empathy in medical students during their study period. The use of SPs is positively evaluated for competency acquisition and real patient communication tra...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05801-8 |
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| author | Vanessa Britz Jasmina Sterz Yannik Koch Teresa Schreckenbach Maria-Christina Stefanescu Uwe Zinßer Rene Danilo Verboket Katharina Sommer Miriam Ruesseler |
| author_facet | Vanessa Britz Jasmina Sterz Yannik Koch Teresa Schreckenbach Maria-Christina Stefanescu Uwe Zinßer Rene Danilo Verboket Katharina Sommer Miriam Ruesseler |
| author_sort | Vanessa Britz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Empathy is a key competency and is essential for doctor-patient relationships. Studies have proven a continuous reduction of empathy in medical students during their study period. The use of SPs is positively evaluated for competency acquisition and real patient communication training has positive effects on empathy empowerment. Therefore, the present study focusses on the impact of simulated patient (SP) vs real patient (RP) communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate medical students. Methods The prospective evaluation took place during a 210-minute skills lab unit on medical communication for 3rd year medical students. Study participants were allocated in advance to one of three groups: one group trained with an SP (SP-group) and was informed about the fact that it was an SP; another group trained with an SP but assumed to encounter an RP (incognito patient group (IP-group)); the last group trained with an RP and was correctly informed about it (real patient group (RP-group). Self-assessed empathy was measured by using Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), as these are the most commonly used instruments for assessing empathy. Study participants were evaluated on empathetic behaviour by their group-associated patient using the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale. Results 146 students participated. There was no significant difference in self-assessed empathy between groups for JSPE and IRI. External assessment via CARE showed a statistically significant difference between SP-group and IP-group , as well as between SP-group and RP-group. There was no significant difference between IP-group and RP-group. This means that students training with real patients (or who believed them to be real) did receive significantly lower performance ratings on their empathy. Conclusion The results demonstrate a significant lower external empathy rating for students who had trained with a real patient or if they were in the belief of having encountered a real patient; this may be due to inhibitions and a lack of routine. Therefore, we recommend implementing SPs in the early study period with the gradual integration of RPs in the student’s further course of study. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a5a73bbff2b94de1be66601b3ac3cf71 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-a5a73bbff2b94de1be66601b3ac3cf712025-08-20T01:51:28ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-08-012411710.1186/s12909-024-05801-8Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation studyVanessa Britz0Jasmina Sterz1Yannik Koch2Teresa Schreckenbach3Maria-Christina Stefanescu4Uwe Zinßer5Rene Danilo Verboket6Katharina Sommer7Miriam Ruesseler8Goethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationGoethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationGoethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationGoethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation and Thoracic SurgeryGoethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationGoethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationGoethe-University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Trauma Hand and Reconstructive SurgeryGoethe-University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Trauma Hand and Reconstructive SurgeryGoethe University Frankfurt, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Education and Clinical SimulationAbstract Background Empathy is a key competency and is essential for doctor-patient relationships. Studies have proven a continuous reduction of empathy in medical students during their study period. The use of SPs is positively evaluated for competency acquisition and real patient communication training has positive effects on empathy empowerment. Therefore, the present study focusses on the impact of simulated patient (SP) vs real patient (RP) communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate medical students. Methods The prospective evaluation took place during a 210-minute skills lab unit on medical communication for 3rd year medical students. Study participants were allocated in advance to one of three groups: one group trained with an SP (SP-group) and was informed about the fact that it was an SP; another group trained with an SP but assumed to encounter an RP (incognito patient group (IP-group)); the last group trained with an RP and was correctly informed about it (real patient group (RP-group). Self-assessed empathy was measured by using Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), as these are the most commonly used instruments for assessing empathy. Study participants were evaluated on empathetic behaviour by their group-associated patient using the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale. Results 146 students participated. There was no significant difference in self-assessed empathy between groups for JSPE and IRI. External assessment via CARE showed a statistically significant difference between SP-group and IP-group , as well as between SP-group and RP-group. There was no significant difference between IP-group and RP-group. This means that students training with real patients (or who believed them to be real) did receive significantly lower performance ratings on their empathy. Conclusion The results demonstrate a significant lower external empathy rating for students who had trained with a real patient or if they were in the belief of having encountered a real patient; this may be due to inhibitions and a lack of routine. Therefore, we recommend implementing SPs in the early study period with the gradual integration of RPs in the student’s further course of study.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05801-8Simulated patientCommunication trainingEmpathyUndergraduatedMedical eduction |
| spellingShingle | Vanessa Britz Jasmina Sterz Yannik Koch Teresa Schreckenbach Maria-Christina Stefanescu Uwe Zinßer Rene Danilo Verboket Katharina Sommer Miriam Ruesseler Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study BMC Medical Education Simulated patient Communication training Empathy Undergraduated Medical eduction |
| title | Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study |
| title_full | Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study |
| title_fullStr | Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study |
| title_short | Impact of simulated patient-based communication training vs. real patient-based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students – a prospective evaluation study |
| title_sort | impact of simulated patient based communication training vs real patient based communication training on empathetic behaviour in undergraduate students a prospective evaluation study |
| topic | Simulated patient Communication training Empathy Undergraduated Medical eduction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05801-8 |
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