Do Empathic Abilities Change throughout the Course of Becoming a Psychotherapist?

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Erik Georgi ◽  
Franz Petermann ◽  
Marc Schipper

Abstract. Empathy is defined as an individually varying but stable personality trait. Contrary to this statement we proposed a model ( Georgi, Petermann & Schipper, 2014 ) in which individual empathic abilities are continuously modulated throughout life, resulting in modifications of neural processes and their underlying neural structures. To further investigate and validate the model’s assumptions we conducted a cross-sectional study using the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy, assessing empathic abilities of three groups of psychologists at different stages of their careers. Results showed higher cognitive and lower affective empathic measures for psychological psychotherapists compared to first-year-bachelor as well as master students. Regarding to our model these findings demonstrate possible effects of psychological education and professional experience on empathic perception.

2015 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-244
Author(s):  
Arlene de Maria Perez ◽  
Isabela Martins Benseñor

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The lifestyle of military personnel has been little studied in Brazil. This study evaluated the frequencies of tobacco and alcohol use, sexual behavior and mental health among military students.DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Police Academy, in São Paulo.METHODS: Students answered a questionnaire about tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sexual behavior and common mental disorders (CMDs). To analyze associations among the frequencies of smoking and alcohol use, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and CMDs during the undergraduate years, we built a multinomial logistic regression model adjusted for age and sex.RESULTS: All 473 students were invited to participate and 430 (90.9%) agreed (10.5% were women). Most were white (76.6%), aged < 30 years, from the upper middle class (78.1%). The frequency of smoking was 6.5%, alcohol consumption 69.3%, STDs 14% and CMDs 15.6%. The use of condoms was low. Fourth-year students presented a lower odds ratio (OR) for STDs than the first-year students: 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.22-0.90). Third-year students presented a lower OR for CMDs than the first-year students.CONCLUSION: The frequencies of smoking and CMDs were low, while the frequency of alcohol consumption was similar to that of the Brazilian population. The use of condoms was low, in comparison with previous studies with similar samples. The results suggest that there was a certain degree of protection against CMDs and STDs during the undergraduate years.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
Suci Syahril ◽  
Meldafia Idaman ◽  
Dewi Fransisca

Abstract The use of contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) increasing lately, but some studies suggest has the side effects of weight gain and contraceptives that have side effect in lipid metabolism. Therefore, about 35% of acceptors of DMPA in the first year to stop the use of DMPA. The objective of this study was to determine the differences of lipid profile between acceptors DMPA with acceptors IUD. This was a obcervational study with cross sectional study. The study wasdone at health center Lubuk Buaya in Padang and at laboratory of Biochemistry Departement in Medical Faculty of Andalas University from Januari until September 2016. The subjects were consisted of two groups, each group had 26 subjects. The examination for LDL and HDL used an enzymatic colorimetric method CHOD-PAP.  Data was analyzed using analysis of t-test with p < 0.05 was considered to be significantly different. HDL levels average in Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate was 87,54±14,28 mg/dl and IUD was 75,90±8,67 mg/dl with p < 0.05 (significantly difference). Levels of  LDL means there is no significantly difference between DMPA and IUD acceptors (p> 0.05). This research concluded that there isa significant difference on average levels of HDL in the Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and IUD but levels of LDL there is no significantly difference. The clinically lipid profile in the two groups is in normal range.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
Shiv Kumar R ◽  
Puli SK ◽  
P. Kishan ◽  
Sanjay ND ◽  
Pusukuri Sphurthi ◽  
...  

Background: The development of an ideal doctor-patient relationship requires empathy. Empathetic conversation aids in the formation of an open and trusting equation between doctor and patient. Furthermore, this leads to accurate diagnoses and more compliance to the advised treatment. In this manner, empathy helps in overall recovery of the patient and improves global functioning and generalised well-being. This study aims to make note of the fluctuation in empathy levels during medical education. Studies done in various countries have found factors such as curriculum, clinical rotations timing and gender to progressively influences empathy levels in students throughout their medical training. The recent trend of violence against healthcare professionals in India calls for an urgent action into the gap between doctors and patients communication. Empathy towards patients and attendants will reduce such untoward events. In this current context, we should improve empathy levels among the training doctors. As a first step, we should assess various factors affecting empathy among health care professionals. Method: This cross sectional study was done among undergraduates of a rural medical college in Northern Telangana during the time period of October to December 2019. Their empathy levels were assessed using Jefferson’s Scale for Empathy- Student version (JSE-S). Result: Of the 470 students surveyed, 227 were males and 243 females. Female students were having higher empathy among first year and second years (p<0.001). Empathy levels seem to decline from first year to second year following which the mean empathy remains similar throughout the remaining years in students of both sexes. There is no significant relation between mean empathy scores and choice of future speciality (p>0.05). Conclusion: Female undergraduate students are found to be more empathetic than their male counterparts. A fall in empathy scores from the first to second year of MBBS is seen, which is when students enter their clinical rotations. Targeted intervention at this time may go a long way in the creation of a new generation of more empathetic physicians. Hence, there is a need for evaluation of teaching and learning techniques in medical education. Further, there is a call for more research into the determinants of decline in empathy amongst medical professionals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Logesvar Balaguru ◽  
Chen Dun ◽  
Andrea Meyer ◽  
Sanuri Hennayake ◽  
Christi M. Walsh ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to characterize and evaluate the NIH’s grant allocation pattern of COVID-19 research.DesignCross sectional studySettingCOVID-19 NIH RePORTER Dataset was used to identify COVID-19 relevant grants.Participants1,108 grants allocated to COVID-19 research.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was to determine the number of grants and funding amount the NIH allocated for COVID-19 by research type and clinical/scientific area. The secondary outcome was to calculate the time from the funding opportunity announcement to the award notice date.ResultsThe NIH awarded a total of 56,169 grants in 2020, of which 2.0% (n=1,108) were allocated for COVID-19 research. The NIH had a $42 billion budget that year, of which 5.3% ($2.2 billion) was allocated to COVID-19 research. The most common clinical/scientific areas were social determinants of health (n=278, 8.5% of COVID-19 funding), immunology (n=211, 25.8%), and pharmaceutical interventions research (n=208, 47.6%). There were 104 grants studying COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions, of which 2 grants studied the efficacy of face masks and 6 studied the efficacy of social distancing. Of the 83 COVID-19 funded grants on transmission, 5 were awarded to study airborne transmission of COVID-19, and 2 grants on transmission of COVID-19 in schools. The average time from the funding opportunity announcement to the award notice date was 151 days (SD: ±57.9).ConclusionIn the first year of the pandemic, the NIH diverted a small fraction of its budget to COVID-19 research. Future health emergencies will require research funding to pivot in a timely fashion and funding levels to be proportional to the anticipated burden of disease in the population.


Author(s):  
Maria Mathew ◽  
Navya C J ◽  
Vidhu M Joshy

Coping strategies used by an individual for stress determine its effect on health and the body’s functioning. Academic challenges make the first year medical students disparately susceptible to it. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the first year undergraduate medical students of a private medical college in Thrissur, Kerala to find the prevalence of stress and the coping strategies used with the help of pretested and validated questionnaire containing the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) and Brief COPE Inventory. 73% of the students had moderate stress and, 20% of the students had high-stress scores. Self-distraction and religion {(6.66 ±1.52), (6.55 ±1.58)}were the most common coping strategies used by the boys and girls respectively. The prevalence of stress was high among the first year undergraduate medical students and those with high-stress scores were found to use maladaptive coping strategies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Stephney Whillier ◽  
Kent Au ◽  
Louie Feng ◽  
Helen Su

Objective: The shift toward evidence-based health care has reoriented tertiary clinical education in a way that necessitates and incorporates research. This study assesses the inclination and suitability of chiropractic students for research over a 5-year educational program. Methods: Research attributes of chiropractic students were assessed in this cross-sectional study using a validated and modified academic self-concept analysis scale. Students in first and final year were assessed in 4 domains: creativity, motivation, self-regulation, and general intellectual ability. Univariable differences were assessed using Welch 2-sample t tests, and multivariable analysis was carried out with multiple linear regression models. Results: The response rate was 71% (n = 165). First- and fifth-year students scored highly on all 4 domains (80% to 96%). Compared to first-year students, fifth-year students rated themselves significantly lower in 3 of the domains: general intellectual abilities (t[126] = −2.01; p = 0.047), motivation (t[115] = −4.82; p &lt; 0.001), and creativity (t[136] = −3.00; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Research suitability is high in chiropractic students. Both cohorts scored high in all domains despite the disparity between first and fifth years. First-year students outperformed fifth-year students in 3 domains, indicating a potential decline in the inclination to do research over time. However, unaccounted factors, such as the Dunning-Kruger effect, life changes, and “burnout,” may have contributed to these differences. Future studies should include questions about stress, fatigue, clinical orientation, and educational environment to inform the interpretation of findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (236) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Shah ◽  
Alisha Sapkota ◽  
Anjeel Chhetri

Introduction: Medical students are prone to develop stress, anxiety and depression owing to vastness of curriculum, hectic lifestyle, economic burden, and competitiveness of medical field. The study aims to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year medical students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 first-year students of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery enrolled in a tertiary care hospital using depression, anxiety, and stress-42 scale along with a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and stressors for their problems. Whole sampling was done and the study was conducted between June and July 2018 after taking ethical approval from the Research and Institutional Review Committee (Reference Number: 57-074/075). Results: The highest prevalence among undergraduate medical students was found to be anxiety 54 (59.3%), followed by stress 41 (45.1%) and depression 40 (44%). Conclusions: Almost half of the first-year medical students reported some level of depression, anxiety, or stress. It is important to implement programs in the early years of the medical school from the administrative level to help and identify students suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress.


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