Spirituality of medical students: associations with empathy and attitudes in the doctor-patient relationship

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Currently, the study of the factors that improve interpersonal relationships in patient care and medical education has been considered relevant and necessary. Understanding what precedes empathy and medical interns’ and young doctors’ attitudes is a relevant topic for health professionals’ education and for their academic and professional performance. Although patients and medical students have indicated that spirituality is an important issue, it is not frequently addressed in medical schools. Objective: This study aims to verify the association between (i) well-being related to spirituality, religiosity and the medical interns’ and residents’ personal beliefs and (ii) empathy and attitudes in the doctor-patient relationship. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, observational study. A total of 64 undergraduate students in the last years of medical school and 50 residents answered the following self-administered instruments: WHOQOL-SRPB, Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and stepwise linear regressions were used to analyze data. Results: Significant correlations (p<0.05) varying from weak (r=0.10) to moderate (r=0.39) were found. The WHOQOL-SRPB final score affected the global score of empathy (R2 = 0.12; p <0.00; VIF=1.00). The component meaning and purpose in life affected the global score of the patient-centered attitude (R2= 0.14; p <0.00; VIF=1.00). Conclusions: Spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs are associated with patient-centered attitudes and medical interns’ and residents’ empathy. In general, well-being related to spirituality preceded empathy, and the component meaning and purpose in life preceded patient-centered attitudes. These results imply the need to consider well-being related to spirituality in interns’ and residents’ education for a better doctor-patient relationship.