Empathy Levels and Practical Examination Scores in Dpt Students
Purpose/Hypothesis: When examining admission of applicants and assisting enrolled students, consideration of factors contributing to academic success is of interest in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. The purpose of this study was to examine if empathy levels correlate to practical examination scores in DPT students. It was hypothesized that students with higher empathy levels would receive better scores on practical exams.
Number of Subjects: A convenience sample of 50 first and second year DPT students (53% female) with age range 23 to 35 from Franklin Pierce University (Arizona) participated in the current study.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining informed consent, participants completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to assess personal empathy through four subscales including perspective talking, fantasy, empathetic concern, and personal distress. This tool has demonstrated validity and reliability for the respective areas measured. Results from the IRI survey were analyzed for possible relationships between empathy levels and practical examination scores using a Spearman Correlation test. Scores from seven different practical examinations that included a patient interview component were utilized from Foundations of Physical Therapy 1 & 2 and Musculoskeletal examination 1 & 2 courses.
Results: Spearman Correlation analysis was conducted with a significant positive correlation between empathy and practical examination scores (rs = .864, p=.000). Mean practical exam score 92.49%, mean empathy score 72.79.
Conclusions: In the current sample, a positive relationship between empathy and practical exam scores was found.
Clinical Relevance: Empathy levels determined by IRI scores may help DPT programs further assess prospective students. Consideration of factors correlated with higher empathy levels may be useful when providing resources to admitted students to facilitate academic success. This warrants further research on whether or not clinical empathy is a subject that can be taught/learned and potentially incorporated into DPT programs.