Empathy Levels in Medical Students as they Advance through their Years of Education

Abstract

Background: At Nishtar Medical University, medical students' empathy levels across different years of medical education were compared to identify and present any differences in empathy levels between the medical students of other years. Methods: Using cross-sectional analysis stratified random sampling technique, this study compared empathy among Nishtar Medical University medical students in the first, third, final, and internship years. MBBS 2nd and 4th-year students in Nishtar Medical University, Multan, are excluded from the study. A Google Form questionnaire was shared with the students to compare their empathy levels in various years of medical education. The sample size is 288. Results: Empathy scores decreased over time, with first-year students scoring the highest (84.09 ± 3.68) and third-year students scoring 75.06 ± 3.71. The 5th year had a somewhat lower empathy score of 74.63 ± 3.82, followed by a considerable reduction in average scores to 64.15 ± 0.84 during the internship year. Conclusion: A definitive cross-sectional study at Nishtar Medical University has conclusively addressed the inquiry of comparing empathy levels across the different years of medical education. The results unequivocally show a decline in empathy during undergraduate medical training.