Volume 21, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
jmed 2026, 21(1): 1451-1466 |
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Shakibaei M, salimi Z, fotouhi ardakani M, Rashidpour P, Bidaki R, Yasini Ardakani S M et al . Medical Interns’ Empathy and Self-Efficacy in Interpersonal Communication with Patients at Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. jmed 2026; 21 (1) :1451-1466
URL: http://jmed.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1605-en.html
URL: http://jmed.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1605-en.html
Mahdiyeh Shakibaei 
, Zanireh Salimi , Mohammadamin Fotouhi ardakani , Parwane Rashidpour , Reza Bidaki , Seyyed Mojtaba Yasini Ardakani , Fatemeh Keshmiri *
, Zanireh Salimi , Mohammadamin Fotouhi ardakani , Parwane Rashidpour , Reza Bidaki , Seyyed Mojtaba Yasini Ardakani , Fatemeh Keshmiri *
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences , Keshmiri1395@gmail.com
Abstract: (15 Views)
Introduction: Empathy and self-efficacy in communication with patients are critical skills for physicians and significantly influence the treatment process and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the levels of empathy and interpersonal communication self-efficacy among medical interns.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical interns of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected electronically using a demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Interpersonal Communication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression.
Results: Out of 180 distributed questionnaires, 160 were completed (response rate = 88.9%). The mean age of participants was 25.36 ± 1.22 years. The mean empathy and communication self-efficacy scores were 54.31 ± 7.50 and 86.99 ± 7.51, respectively. Male interns had significantly higher empathy scores than females (P = 0.01). Participation in communication skills training was also significantly associated with empathy. No significant differences were observed for age, grade point average, or academic year.
Conclusion: The empathy and communication self-efficacy levels of the interns were desirable. Given the positive effect of communication skills training on empathy, it is recommended that such courses be formally incorporated into the medical curriculum.
Keywords: Empathy; Self-efficacy; Medical interns; Communication skills; Patient interaction
Introduction: Empathy and self-efficacy in communication with patients are critical skills for physicians and significantly influence the treatment process and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the levels of empathy and interpersonal communication self-efficacy among medical interns.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical interns of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected electronically using a demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Interpersonal Communication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression.
Results: Out of 180 distributed questionnaires, 160 were completed (response rate = 88.9%). The mean age of participants was 25.36 ± 1.22 years. The mean empathy and communication self-efficacy scores were 54.31 ± 7.50 and 86.99 ± 7.51, respectively. Male interns had significantly higher empathy scores than females (P = 0.01). Participation in communication skills training was also significantly associated with empathy. No significant differences were observed for age, grade point average, or academic year.
Conclusion: The empathy and communication self-efficacy levels of the interns were desirable. Given the positive effect of communication skills training on empathy, it is recommended that such courses be formally incorporated into the medical curriculum.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical interns of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected electronically using a demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Interpersonal Communication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression.
Results: Out of 180 distributed questionnaires, 160 were completed (response rate = 88.9%). The mean age of participants was 25.36 ± 1.22 years. The mean empathy and communication self-efficacy scores were 54.31 ± 7.50 and 86.99 ± 7.51, respectively. Male interns had significantly higher empathy scores than females (P = 0.01). Participation in communication skills training was also significantly associated with empathy. No significant differences were observed for age, grade point average, or academic year.
Conclusion: The empathy and communication self-efficacy levels of the interns were desirable. Given the positive effect of communication skills training on empathy, it is recommended that such courses be formally incorporated into the medical curriculum.
Keywords: Empathy; Self-efficacy; Medical interns; Communication skills; Patient interaction
Introduction: Empathy and self-efficacy in communication with patients are critical skills for physicians and significantly influence the treatment process and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the levels of empathy and interpersonal communication self-efficacy among medical interns.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical interns of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected electronically using a demographic questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Interpersonal Communication Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression.
Results: Out of 180 distributed questionnaires, 160 were completed (response rate = 88.9%). The mean age of participants was 25.36 ± 1.22 years. The mean empathy and communication self-efficacy scores were 54.31 ± 7.50 and 86.99 ± 7.51, respectively. Male interns had significantly higher empathy scores than females (P = 0.01). Participation in communication skills training was also significantly associated with empathy. No significant differences were observed for age, grade point average, or academic year.
Conclusion: The empathy and communication self-efficacy levels of the interns were desirable. Given the positive effect of communication skills training on empathy, it is recommended that such courses be formally incorporated into the medical curriculum.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2025/11/19 | Accepted: 2026/06/4 | Published: 2026/06/16
Received: 2025/11/19 | Accepted: 2026/06/4 | Published: 2026/06/16
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