Factors influencing empathy level among healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Empathy is vital in healthcare, influencing patient care quality and outcomes. Understanding the factors that affect empathy levels among healthcare professionals is essential for improving healthcare delivery. This systematic review aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing empathy levels among healthcare professionals, including demographic and professional characteristics. We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases, yielding 979 studies. After removing 116 duplicates, 863 records were screened based on titles and abstracts. Following eligibility criteria, 140 articles were retrieved for full-text assessment, of which 129 were excluded. Ultimately, nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Data were synthesized to evaluate associations between empathy levels and factors such as gender, marital status, age, educational level, and job characteristics. The meta-analysis revealed significant associations: females exhibited higher empathy levels compared to males [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.32 to -0.04], and married individuals showed greater empathy than unmarried individuals (SMD: -0.30; 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.16). Age did not significantly influence empathy levels (SMD: 0.13; 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.41). No significant differences were found in empathy scores between nurses and other healthcare professionals or between doctors and nurses. Gender and marital status are significant predictors of empathy levels among healthcare professionals, while age and specialty do not appear to significantly impact empathy. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance empathetic practices in healthcare settings.