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Cited by 138Empathy and Medical EducationInnovations in Medical EducationEducational Philosophies and Pedagogies

Medical students’ understanding of empathy: a phenomenological study

Tavakol, Sina, Dennick, Reg, Tavakol, Mohsen·2012·Medical Education
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2923.2011.04152.x
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Abstract

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.

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  • Tavakol et al. identified two key factors impacting empathic ability: innate capacity for empathy and barriers to displaying empathy.

    “The authors identified two key factors impacting empathic ability: innate capacity for empathy and barriers to displaying empathy [32].”

    From How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others (2019) · cites this paper as [32]

  • Tavakol et al. used a descriptive phenomenological approach (Colaizzi and Giorgi) to report on the phenomenon of empathy as experienced by medical students during training.

    “Tavakol et al. [32] used a descriptive phenomenological approach (i.e. using the methodology of Colaizzi and Giorgi) to report on the phenomenon of empathy as experienced by medical students during the course of their training.”

    From How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others (2019) · cites this paper as [32]

  • In 2012, Tavakol et al. studied medical students' understanding of empathy by engaging in transcendental phenomenological research.

    “For example, in 2012, Tavakol et al. studied medical students' understanding of empathy by engaging in transcendental phenomenological research [32].”

    From How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others (2019) · cites this paper as [32]

  • Husserl's transcendental phenomenology has been employed by HPE researchers.

    “Husserl's transcendental phenomenology has been employed by HPE researchers.”

    From How phenomenology can help us learn from the experiences of others (2019) · cites this paper as [32]

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Authors
Tavakol, S., Dennick, R., & Tavakol, M.
Affiliations
University of Nottingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Tavakol, Mohsen
ORCID
Tavakol, Mohsen
Venue
Medical Education
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-02-10
Volume
46
Issue
3
Pages
306-316
ISSN
  • 0308-0110 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2923
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2923.2011.04152.x
OpenAlex
W1563646025
Cited by
138
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
FWCI
6.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2012-06-12)
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Medical Education (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Philosophies and Pedagogies
Keywords
empathy, medical students, empathy skills, barriers to empathy, empathy decline, empathy education, role modeling, clinical instructors, experiential learning, patient care
MeSH terms
Adult, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Empathy, Female, Humans, Male, Physician-Patient Relations, Students, Medical, Problem-Based Learning, Comprehension, Qualitative Research, Young Adult

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