Factors Influencing Emergency Empathy Towards Patients and Their Relatives: A National Survey Study in Türkiye

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the empathy that emergency physicians develop toward patients. Material and Method: A total of 200 physicians working in the emergency department were included in the study. The Basic Empathy Scale (BES) consists of 20 items, which are divided into two factors: cognitive and affective empathy. The study data were obtained from the surveys. Results: All empathy scores were statistically significantly higher in women than in men (p values: 0.006, 0.008, and 0.001, respectively). The affective and basic empathy scores of single individuals are higher than those of married individuals (p values: 0.032 and 0.034, respectively). The affective and basic empathy scores of individuals without children are higher than those of individuals with children (p values: 0.023 and 0.014, respectively). Individuals in medical schools show higher cognitive empathy scores compared to non-medical studying (p: 0.004). Individuals who completed special courses (communication, stress management, and empathy) have higher empathy scores compared to those who did not participate (p values: 0.002, 0.021, and 0.001, respectively). All empathy scores are similar regardless of the individual’s experience levels, satisfaction with the work environment, the patient group the individuals has more emotional ties with, or the individual’s ability to understand patients in the environment in which they work. The basic empathy scores of individuals working ≤40 h and ≥60 h are similar but less than the basic empathy scores of individuals working 41–60 h. Conclusions: Training during or after medical school and better working hours will help to improve the empathy of emergency physicians. Female, single, childless physicians have an advantage regarding empathy in the ED. For married physicians having children, more flexible working environments can increase empathy levels.