Implementation and evaluation of simulations in a required course to improve empathy of pharmacy students.

INTRODUCTION: It is essential for health care professionals to display empathy when communicating with patients. Therefore, empathy is an important skill to teach health care professional students. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a course enhancement consisting of formal instruction and application-based simulations on empathy in pharmacy students. METHODS: The Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Health Profession Students (JSE-HPS) was administered at the start of the semester and again at the end of the 16-week required course for third-year pharmacy students. Differences in the mean scores were analyzed using a paired t-test. An inductive conventional content analysis approach was utilized to analyze end of the course reflections about empathy by two investigators. RESULTS: On the pre-survey (n = 140), the empathy scores ranged from 86 to 140 (mean 113.8). On the postsurvey (n = 73), scores ranged from 93 to 137 (mean 117.5). A statistically significant increase in students' empathy scores on the JSE-HPS was observed following the completion of the course (P = .006). The main themes that emerged from the students' reflections were the impact of empathy on patient-centered care and the importance of patient-provider relationships. Students also discussed the development and use of empathy skills. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of didactic and skills-based training led to an improvement in empathy in third-year pharmacy students. Student comments highlighted the value of practicing empathy skills in a simulated environment.