Abstract

Objective: To compare the empathy levels of house officers employed in the medical and dental departments of public hospitals in Lahore city.
Methodology: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from August 2022 to May 2023. The data were collected from Punjab Dental Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, Mayo Hospital and included 70 BDS house officers and 70 MBBS house officers. We used non-probability convenient sampling technique and self-administrative questionnaires. Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Professions Student Version was used for data collection. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data on SPSS 25.
Results: Out of 140 students, 43 (30.7%) were males and 97 (69.3%) females. Mean empathy score of MBBS house officers was significantly higher than that of BDS house officers (p=0.043). There was no statistically significant difference in mean empathy scores between male and female students (p=0.940).
Conclusion: Mean empathy score of MBBS house officers was higher than BDS house officers with no significant difference in empathy level by gender. Future research should have better-quality longitudinal work, as findings could aid in developing a curriculum that will enhance empathy during education and training by applying it in clinical practice and health sciences generally.

Key words: Empathy, Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (Health Profession Student version), medical and dental house officers, dentist.