Physicians' personality traits as predictors of empathy in the health context

Introduction/Aim. Empathy is pivotal in healthcare, enhancing patient-provider relationships and healthcare outcomes. This study explores how empathy relates to the Big Five personality traits among Serbian physicians. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 304 Serbian physicians (37.5% male, 62.5% female; mean age 37.38 years) was conducted using online questionnaires from May to August 2023. The Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE) measured empathy levels, and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) assessed personality traits (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism). Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and regression using SPSS, examined associations between personality traits and empathy scores. Results. Significant correlations between empathy and specific personality traits were found, suggesting a relationship between personality traits and empathetic behavior among physicians. Agreeableness (b = 0.298) and Openness to Experience (b = 0.133) emerged as significant positive predictors of empathy. Conclusion. Understanding how personality traits are related to empathy is crucial for enhancing patient care and professional development in healthcare. This study underscores the need to integrate empathy-promoting strategies into medical training to cultivate compassionate healthcare providers.