Medical students’ understanding of empathy: a phenomenological study

CONTEXT: Empathy towards patients is associated with improved health outcomes. However, quantitative studies using self-reported data have not provided an in-depth opportunity to explore the lived experiences of medical students concerning empathy. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate undergraduate medical students' experiences of the phenomenon of empathy during the course of their medical education and to explore the essence of their empathy. METHODS: This was a descriptive, phenomenological study of medical student interviews conducted using the method of Colaizzi and Giorgi. The sample (n = 10) was drawn from medical students in Years 4 and 5. In-depth interviews were used to obtain a clear understanding of their experiences of empathy in the context of patient care. Interviews continued until no new information could be identified from transcripts. RESULTS: Five themes were identified from analysis: the meaning of empathy; willingness to empathise; innate empathic ability; empathy decline or enhancement, and empathy education. Empathic ability was manifested through two factors: innate capacity for empathy, and barriers to displaying empathy. Different experiences and explanations concerning the decline or enhancement of empathy during medical education were explored. CONCLUSIONS: Empathic ability was identified as an important innate attribute which nevertheless can be enhanced by educational interventions. Barriers to the expression of empathy with patients were identified. Role-modelling by clinical teachers was seen as the most important influence on empathy education for students engaged in experiential learning.