Student-centered tutoring as a model for patient-centeredness and empathy

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills
• Physician Training

Background:

• Medical students' empathy and patient-centeredness decline during clinical years.
• The student-tutor relationship is crucial for medical learning.
• Educational interventions aim to improve these qualities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of learner-centered (LC) tutoring on medical students' empathy, patient-centeredness, and communication behaviors.
• To assess if LC mentoring influences physician-patient interactions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 55 students was divided into experimental (LC mentoring) and control groups.
• Empathy was measured using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy for Students.
• Patient-centered attitude was assessed with the Patient-Provider Orientation Scale (PPOS).
• Communication behaviors were analyzed during simulated doctor-patient encounters using Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS).

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significantly higher percentages in 'building a relationship' and 'patient-centeredness' communication categories.
• The experimental group had a significantly lower percentage in 'gathering data' communication.
• Significant correlations were found between empathy, PPOS, and specific communication behaviors in the experimental group.

Conclusions:

• The learner-centered approach positively influences communication behaviors related to clinical empathy and patient-centered care.
• LC tutoring demonstrates a link between physician attitudes (PPOS) and observed communication behaviors.