Empathic concern and professional characteristics associated with clinical empathy in French general practitioners

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_0BF0E6E96CD9
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Empathic concern and professional characteristics associated with clinical empathy in French general practitioners
Journal
The European journal of general practice
Author(s)
Lelorain Sophie, Sultan Serge, Zenasni Franck, Catu-Pinault Annie, Jaury Philippe, Boujut Emilie, Rigal Laurent
ISSN
1751-1402
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
19
Number
1
Pages
23-8
Language
english
Abstract
Objective: Clinical empathy, i.e. the ability of physicians to adopt patient perspective, is an essential component of care, which depends in part on empathic concern, i.e. compassionate emotions felt for others. However, too much empathic concern can be challenging for physicians. Aim of this study was to examine physician practice characteristics that could explain clinical empathy beyond empathic concern. We were also interested in testing whether professional reflective activities, such as Balint group attendance or clinical supervision, might make clinical empathy less dependent on empathic concern. Methods: A total of 295 French general practitioners (response rate of 37%) completed self-reported questionnaires on empathic concern and clinical empathy, using the Toronto empathy questionnaire (TEQ) and the Jefferson scale of physician empathy (JSPE), respectively. We also recorded information on their professional practice: professional experience, duration of consultations, and participation in Balint groups or being a clinical supervisor. Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out with clinical empathy as dependent variable. Results: Empathic concern was an important component of clinical empathy variance. The physician practice characteristics ’consultation length’ and ’being a Balint attendee or a supervisor,’ but not ’clinical experience’ made a significant and unique contribution to clinical empathy beyond that of empathic concern. Participating to one reflective activity (either Balint group attendance or clinical supervision) made clinical empathy less dependent on empathic concern. Conclusion: Working conditions such as having enough consultation time and having the opportunity to attend a professional reflective activity support the maintenance of clinical empathy without the burden of too much empathic concern.
Pubmed
Create date
21/10/2021 10:54
Last modification date
25/10/2021 21:43
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