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Journal of Medical Education

Abstract

Objectives: Empathy is an essential factor for physician-patient communication. Personality traits and emotional intelligence can enhance the quality of one's empathic relating. This study explored the relationships among personality traits, perceived emotional intelligence (PEI), and physician empathy in medical students. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-three Taiwanese medical students completed a survey packet consisting of three standardized instruments: the Mini-Marker Scale, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy ‒ Student Version (JSPE-S). Results: Male medical students had higher scores in ”Neuroticism” than did the female respondents. Students in Years 2 and 3 had higher ”Neuroticism” scores than those in Year 1. Year 1 and 2 students had higher scores than those in Year 3 in ”Openness,” ”Conscientiousness,” and ”Agreeableness.” Year 1 students had significantly higher scores in PEI, mood ”Repair,” and physician empathy than students in Years 2-4. Year 3 had higher scores on PEI and physician empathy than the Year 4 students. Conclusions: ”Mood Repair,” ”Attention to feelings,” and ”Clarity” are all traits of emotional intelligence, but only the first two are significant predictors of empathy. Of the five personality traits, only ”Conscientiousness” and ”Agreeableness” relate positively to one's attitude towards empathy. The findings shed light on the empathy training curriculum for medical students.

First Page

351

Last Page

360

DOI

10.6145/jme.201112_15(4).0004

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