A Multicenter Study Investigating Empathy and Burnout Characteristics in Medical Residents with Various Specialties.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.4.590
- Author:
Chanmin PARK
1
;
Yeon Jung LEE
;
Minha HONG
;
Chul Ho JUNG
;
Yeni SYNN
;
Young Sook KWACK
;
Jae Sung RYU
;
Tae Won PARK
;
Seong Ae LEE
;
Geon Ho BAHN
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Multicenter Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Empathy;
Physicians;
Burnout;
Medical Residency;
Medical Specialization;
Medical Education
- MeSH:
Adult;
*Burnout, Professional;
Child;
Child Rearing;
Demography;
Depersonalization;
*Empathy;
Female;
Hospitals, University;
Humans;
Internship and Residency;
Male;
Marriage;
Physicians/*psychology;
Sex Factors;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(4):590-597
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We assessed empathy in medical residents, including factors modifying empathy and the relationship between empathy and burnout. Participants (n = 317 residents, response rate = 42%) from 4 university hospitals completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (Health Professional version, Korean edition), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Participants were classified by medical specialty: “people-oriented specialty” (POS group) or “technology-oriented specialty” (TOS group), with more women in the POS than in the TOS group, χ2 = 14.12, P < 0.001. Being female, married, and having children were factors related to higher empathy (gender, t = -2.129, P = 0.034; marriage, t = -2.078, P = 0.038; children, t = 2.86, P = 0.005). Within specialty group, POS residents showed higher empathy scores in the fourth as compared to the first year, F = 3.166, P = 0.026. Comparing POS and TOS groups by year, fourth year POS residents had significantly higher scores than did fourth year TOS residents, t = 3.349, P = 0.002. There were negative correlations between empathy scores and 2 MBI subscales, emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP). Additionally, first year POS residents had higher DP scores than did first year TOS residents, t = 2.183, P = 0.031. We suggest that factors important for empathy are type of medical specialty, marriage, siblings, and children. Burnout state may be related to decreasing empathy.
