The level and determinants of empathy among medical students from Arabic speaking countries: A systematic review

Bibliographic Details
Title: The level and determinants of empathy among medical students from Arabic speaking countries: A systematic review
Authors: Benmaarmar, Soumaya, Bourkhime, Hind, El Harch, Ibtissam, El Rhazi, Karima
Source: GMS Journal for Medical Education, Vol 41, Iss 2, p Doc15 (2024)
Publisher Information: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Special aspects of education
LCC:Medicine
Subject Terms: empathy, medical students, arabic speaking countries, systematic review, Special aspects of education, LC8-6691, Medicine
More Details: Aim: This systematic review aims to investigate the level of empathy among medical students in Arabic speaking countries and analyze its determinants. Methods: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2022 (PRISMA), the authors conducted a systematic research of studies investigating the level and determinants of empathy among medical students in Arabic speaking countries. The databases PubMed, Scopus, web of science and google scholar were searched. Results: Ten studies from six countries were included. Nine of which had a cross-sectional study design. Level of empathy was assessed using the Jefferson scale in seven studies and using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index in two studies. The mean of empathy scale ranges between 97.65±14.10 to 106.55±19.16 in studies used the Jefferson scale of empathy. The associated factors with empathy were gender; high levels of empathy were reported in female students. Other factors are explored in relation with empathy such as specialty preference (surgery or medicine, “people-orientated” specialties or ‘’technology-oriented specialties’’), family factors (marital status of parents, satisfactory relationship with parents, parents level of education and household income) and factors related to medical education (academic performance, year of study and type of curriculum) but the results are heterogeneous. Conclusion: This is the first systematic review, which illustrated the determinants of empathy in Arabic medical students. Our results revealed varied results on empathy determinants. Further studies may guarantee a full exploration of this ability in order to improve the doctor-patient relationship and patient management in the Arab world.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: German
English
ISSN: 2366-5017
Relation: http://www.egms.de/static/en/journals/zma/2024-41/zma001670.shtml; https://doaj.org/toc/2366-5017
DOI: 10.3205/zma001670
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/a77bf03f5fdf4f4e9c704705916ecf7a
Accession Number: edsdoj.77bf03f5fdf4f4e9c704705916ecf7a
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:23665017
DOI:10.3205/zma001670
Published in:GMS Journal for Medical Education
Language:German
English