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Journal of Medical Education

Abstract

Purpose: Clinical empathy is a crucial aspect of occupational therapy (OT), facilitating the standardization and effectiveness of the empathic process. However, the literature lacks studies examining clinical empathy specifically among occupational therapists. This study aimed to compare clinical empathy between OT interns and therapists, assessing both overall clinical empathy and four key empathic skills. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using verbatim transcripts collected from clinical settings. A subset of 30 transcripts (15 interns and 15 therapists) was selected for analysis. A single rater evaluated all the transcripts, identifying empathic scenarios and assessing clinical empathy using the Clinical Empathy dimension of the Communication-skills Measures for Occupational Therapy. This subscale measured overall clinical empathy and scores for the four empathic skills. Results: The study found no significant difference in clinical empathy, including overall clinical empathy and the four empathic skills, between interns and therapists. Notably, both groups scored below 20% of the maximum possible score for overall empathy. Furthermore, the four empathic skills (detecting, confirming, responding, and re-confirming) were ranked in descending order according to their frequency of use. Conclusions: This study revealed that there was no significant difference in clinical empathy between experienced therapists and less experienced interns, and both groups scored approximately 20% of the maximum possible score. These findings suggest that there is substantial room for improvement in the clinical empathy skills of both groups. Consequently, educational institutions and continuing education systems in OT should place greater emphasis on teaching and developing clinical empathy concepts and skills.

First Page

246

Last Page

257

DOI

10.6145/jme.202312_27(4).0002

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