Patients Empathy to Physicians and Patients Perception of Physicians Empathy During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Authors : Meryem Dilek Acar, Mustafa Samanci, Elif Dikmetaş Yardan

Pages : 74-81

View : 70 | Download : 65

Publication Date : 2023-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Abstract Objective Physicians have a heavy workload due to their menthal and physical efforts. Physicians want to be understood for coping with the stressful working conditions. In this study, the aim was to analyze patients empathy levels to physicians, patients’ perceptions of physician empathy levels especially during a crisis like a pandemic. Materials and Methods The empathy levels of the patients (n=396, >18 ages) to physicians who had visited XXXXXX Hospital non-emergency outpatient clinics were investigated. The same patients\' perception of the physicians empathy toward them was also assessed by ‘The Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy’, a 7-point Likert-type scale. These patients’ data of having/not having chronic illness and their health institution visits were evaluated. The patients characteristics compared statistically with their patients’ perceptions of physician empathy levels. Results The empathy levels of the patients to their physicians was high. Patients’ perceptions of physician empathy toward them was also found as 5.14. The patients who did not wait for a visit to a health institution when needed during the pandemic (76.8%) have significiantly high patients’ perceptions of physician empathy (p<0,05). Conclusions Empathy which is an important communication skill in order to cope with critical conditions should be mutual and trust is the most important issue for constructing empathy. The volunteer patients showed trust to their physicians by visiting the hospital which infected patients also visit. The patients with high empathy levels to their physicians also had high patients perception of physician empathy levels. Keywords Empathy, Patients, Physicians, Covid-19, Crisis
Keywords : Empati, Hastalar, Hekimler, Covid 19, Kriz