How well do medical students rate and communicate clinical empathy?

Abstract

A significant decline in medical students' empathy scores was observed from year 5 to year 6, consistent with international findings. Peer assessments and tutor ratings of competence in MI/BI skills performance were moderately correlated, but peer assessments were negatively correlated with medical students' self-rated empathy. Senior medical students who self-rated as more empathic received lower competence evaluations of MI/BI skills from their peers. Interventions to further investigate teaching and learning of empathy are discussed.