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Measuring the Empathy Level of Dental Students Using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy

제퍼슨의 공감 척도를 사용한 치과 대학생의 공감 능력 측정

  • Heemin Kim (Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Yeonmi Yang (Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Jaegon Kim (Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University) ;
  • Daewoo Lee (Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University)
  • 김희민 (전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 구강생체과학연구소) ;
  • 양연미 (전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 구강생체과학연구소) ;
  • 김재곤 (전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 구강생체과학연구소) ;
  • 이대우 (전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 구강생체과학연구소)
  • Received : 2023.04.25
  • Accepted : 2023.06.19
  • Published : 2023.08.31

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical trainings in improving empathy in dental students by analyzing changes in empathy level before and after clinical training. Third grade dental students at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) participated for 2 years. They had clinical training for 3 weeks in pediatric dentistry at JBNU Dental Hospital. Then, 20 items of the modified form of Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students Version were done twice, before and after clinical training. The students who had lectures and role-playing were in the experimental group, while those who had no additional trainings were in the control group. Out of 69 students, 35 were in the experimental group and 34 were in the control group. Empathy level has increased after clinical training in both groups, but only the experimental group showed a significant increase (p = 0.0052). It also showed a significant increase in specific items (No. 6, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Clinical trainings such as lectures and role playing might have increased empathy levels related to standing in patient's position. Therefore, it is necessary to consider, try, and evaluate various types of clinical training rather than common education to improve dental students' empathy.

이 연구의 목적은 소아치과에서의 임상 실습 전과 후의 치과 대학생의 공감 능력 차이를 측정 및 비교 분석하여 공감 능력 향상을 위해 도입한 임상 교육 과정의 효과를 평가하는 것이다. 전북대학교 치과대학 재학생 중 본과 3학년, 총 69명을 대상으로 2년 동안 연구를 진행하였다. 모든 학생들은 본원 소아치과에서 3주 동안 임상 실습을 진행하였고, 실습 전과 후에 각각 설문지(Modified form of Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students Version)를 작성하였다. 이 중 추가적으로 강의 및 역할극 훈련을 시행한 학생들을 실험군으로, 시행하지 않은 학생들을 대조군으로 설정하였다. 실험군은 35명, 대조군은 34명이었으며, 두 군 모두에서 실습 후에 공감 능력 증가를 보였으나, 실험군에서만 유의미한 증가를 보였다(p = 0.0052). 또한 실험군에서만 특정 항목들(6번, 9번, 10번, 15번, 17번, 18번, 19번, 20번)에서 유의미한 증가를 보였다(p < 0.05). 따라서 공감과 관련한 교육의 중요성을 인지해야 하며, 향후에는 학생들의 공감 능력 향상을 위해서 단순 교육보다는 강의 및 역할극과 같은 다양한 형태의 교육 방식을 고찰하고 시도 및 평가하려는 노력이 필요하다.

Keywords

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