Empathy: can it be learned and retained?

The effects of a one-semester course aimed at empathic discrimination and communication was measured 18 months after its completion. An experimental group of physical therapy students who had participated in the course and a control group who had not were given the Allied Health Professions Empathy Discrimination index and the Cartoon Listening Test. The results indicate that students who participated in the course were better able to respond empathically. Formal preparation in communication skills as described was both effective and lasting.