Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the empathy skill (which is one of the main issues of patient-doctor relationship) in medical school students by using a standard empathy skill scale and to determine in what aspect does clinical education effect this skill indirectly.

Methods: Our research was conducted on 48 students in 4th grade of Mersin University Medical School. Empathy skill scale ESS-B form which was developed by Üstün Dökmen was used to collect data. The scale was applied in the term beginning and end of the 4th grade. The collected data was evaluated in terms of frequency and average. Chi square and student t test was used in group comparisons.

Results: While the ESS-B point average of the participants at the beginning of the term was 138.83 and at the end of the term was 138.38. There is no significant difference between these two averages (p>.05). When the problems forming the scale were compared, it seems there are differences in point average order between term beginning and term end.

Discussion: It was determined that the ESS-B point averages of the participants are close to the doctors in general and it was concluded that the clinical education has no effect on ESS average.

Key Words: Empathy Skill; Medical Education; Clinical Education.