Longitudinal Measurement of Empathy in Student Pharmacists

Objective. To assess empathy longitudinally in student pharmacists and describe how it changes during their four years of pharmacy education. Methods. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Professions Student version (JSE-HPS) was completed by a cohort of student pharmacists at the beginning and end of PY1 year, then at the end of PY2, PY3, and P4 years. Demographic data and information about students’ previous pharmacy work experience and experience interacting with patients were also collected. Results. Student pharmacists’ empathy scores were relatively high at the beginning of PY1 year, comparable to scores reported for medical and other health professions students. Empathy scores declined over the first two years of the pharmacy curriculum but increased during both PY3 and P4 year, recovering to the level observed at the beginning of PY1 year. Factor analysis identified three factors, “perspective-taking,” “compassionate care,” and “walking in patient’s shoes” which accounted for 26%, 19% and 7% of the variance, respectively, and supported the construct validity of the JSE-HPS. Conclusion. Student pharmacist empathy decreased during the early primarily didactic years of the pharmacy curriculum but increased during the latter years that emphasize clinical experiences.