Evaluation of Empathy With Patients and Related Factors in Dental Students

Background and Objectives: A human is a social being and needs social cohesion, support, and understanding. The relationship between the dentist and patient is a specific example of social support and empathy. The patient is also an example of social support. An empathetic dentistpatient relationship can effectively improve the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of the patient. In this relationship, a physician can make a better diagnosis and deliver a more satisfactory treatment outcome. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate empathy and its related factors in dental students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand City, Iran, in 2020. Methods: The study population consisted of all students of clinical dentistry. After obtaining informed consent from the students, Jefferson’s questionnaire was distributed among them. Students’ demographic information was asked in the questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA and the independent t test at the significant level of 0.05. Results: A total of 78 (42.3% male and 57.7% female) dental students participated in this study. Their Mean±SD score of empathy was 57±5.57. The mean empathy score was significantly higher in females than males (P=0.04). The mean score of empathy was significantly higher in students who were more interested in their field (P=0.03). The mean score of empathy for students was not significantly different in terms of study semester (P=0.06), marital status (P=0.95), communication skills (P=0.16), and mother’s (P=0.11), and father’s (P=0.92) education. Conclusion: The mean score of empathy was significantly higher in females and students who were more interested in their field.