Assessment of empathy level in dental third and final year students in Davangere city- A cross-sectional study

Varghese; S.; Sapna; B

Volume : VIII, Issue : XI, November - 2019

Assessment of empathy level in dental third and final year students in Davangere city- A cross-sectional study

Varghese, S. , Sapna, B

Abstract :

Empathy is one of the basic “elements” of good dentist–patient relationships. It is often considered a hallmark for health care professionals as it can contribute positively to health care. So, the study was planned assess and compare the empathy scores across the year of study, gender and academic performance of dental third and final year students in Davangere city. The cross–sectional study was conducted among the third and final year undergraduates of two dental colleges in Davangere. Empathy was assessed using Jefferson Scale of Empathy– Health Care Provider Student version (JSE–HPS) questionnaire consisting of twenty questions. Statistical analysis was done using chi–square test and Spearman’s correlation test. A total of 309 students participated in the study consisting of 93 male and 216 female students. The mean empathy score among the students was 85.5±11.8. The final year students had a mean empathy score of 84.5±11.67 and that of third year students was 84. ±11.55. Mean empathy score of the male and female students were 86.0±11.48 and 85.2±11.20 respectively. Chi–square test was applied and results were found to be not significant. Spearman’s correlation test was done to find out the co–relation between mean empathy scores and the academic scores which showed no significant results. It was concluded from the study that the mean empathy score was found to be 85.5±11.8 for the study population. The mean empathy score remained very similar in the third year and final year undergraduate students irrespective of their gender and academic performance.