An assessment of empathy among students in the health sciences

Abstract

The ability to communicate empathy is a foundational skill for all professionals working in a helping field. The purpose of the research was to assess the empathy skills ofstudents enrolled in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at a mid-sizeduniversity in the southeastern U.S. In March and April of 2023, all studentsenrolled in a major housed in the college were invited to complete a 60-question surveyin a study assessing their empathy levels. The survey included the InterpersonalReactivity Index Assessment of Empathy (IRI), which assesses empathy across 4subscales: Perspective Taking, Fantasy, Empathic Concerns, and Personal Distress. Atotal of 538 students participated in the study. The sample was predominantly female(82%), white (78%), and upperclassman or graduate students (69%). The most commonmajors participating the study were nursing (22%), health sciences (20%), andkinesiology (14%). Women reported significantly higher total empathy scores and Empathic Concern subscale scores. Regarding major, counseling students reported a significantlyhigher total empathy score than kinesiology. Counseling and social work studentsreported significantly higher Empathic Concern subscale scores than Kinesiologystudents. No significant differences were found in total IRI scores when comparingstudents by grade classification; however, the higher the student’s class standing, thehigher their Empathic Concern score. Students who reported participating in a volunteerexperience or employment that included regular contact with patients had asignificantly higher total IRI score. Not surprisingly graduatelevel counseling students reported the highest Empathy scores. This may beattributable to regular course work that includes empathy skills and internshipexperiences. Because many kinesiology majors choose career paths in healthcare, theymay benefit from opportunities that enhance their empathy skills.