The impact of simulation-based learning activities on empathy development in physical therapy students: a...

In physical therapy practice, empathy is viewed as a cornerstone of high-quality care because it fosters trust, strengthens communication, and supports better treatment outcomes. However, empathy may not always be sufficient among physical therapy students, potentially limiting the quality of care they deliver. Simulation-based learning activities (SBLA) have been shown to improve empathy in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. However, previous studies did not measure changes in empathy using a validated tool to understand the effect of SBLA on empathy development. The purpose of this study was to examine how SBLA impacts the development of empathy in third-year physical therapy students over time. A cohort of fourteen third-year DPT students enrolled in a Geriatrics course voluntarily participated in this study. Empathy was measured using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Students. Qualitative data were collected through written reflection responses and analyzed using inductive coding methods. A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to determine whether empathy scores differed significantly over time. There was a statistically significant effect of time on JSE-HPS scores, F (1.341, 17.430) = 5.021,p = .03, partial η2 = 0.28. Post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction indicated that JSE-HPS scores were significantly higher following SBLA compared to baseline (mean difference = 6.86,p = .004). Qualitative findings were categorized into three themes: Experiencing Aging, Shifting Beliefs and Values, and Applying Insight to Practice. Simulation-based learning activities were associated with a significant short-term increase in empathy among third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. These findings suggest that immersive simulation experiences may enhance understanding of patients' lived experiences while highlighting the need for repeated or sustained experiences to promote empathy development over time.