Evaluation of empathy in a structured Observational Exam of Clinical Skills (OSCE) in the career of oncology at Instituto Oncológico Henry Moore-Universidad del Salvador (HM-ONCOUSAL).
Authors: Daniela Gercovich, Ernesto Gil Deza, Hugo Hirsch, Luis Loviscek, Mariana Abal, Sandra L. Ares, Gustavo De Simone, Monica Montiel, Flavio Tognelli, Gabriela Malcervelli, Carlos Fernando Garcia Gerardi, Eduardo L. Morgenfeld, Edgardo G. J. Rivarola, Felipe G. Gercovich
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

Article Tools Health Services Research and Quality of Care Article Tools OPTIONS & TOOLS Export Citation Track Citation Add To Favorites Rights & Permissions COMPANION ARTICLES No companion articles ARTICLE CITATION DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2016.34.15_suppl.e18151 Journal of Clinical Oncology - published online before print May 20, 2016 Evaluation of empathy in a structured Observational Exam of Clinical Skills (OSCE) in the career of oncology at Instituto Oncológico Henry Moore-Universidad del Salvador (HM-ONCOUSAL). Daniela GercovichxDaniela GercovichSearch for articles by this author, Ernesto Gil DezaxErnesto Gil DezaSearch for articles by this author, Hugo HirschxHugo HirschSearch for articles by this author, Luis LoviscekxLuis LoviscekSearch for articles by this author, Mariana AbalxMariana AbalSearch for articles by this author, Sandra L. AresxSandra L. AresSearch for articles by this author, Gustavo De SimonexGustavo De SimoneSearch for articles by this author, Monica MontielxMonica MontielSearch for articles by this author, Flavio TognellixFlavio TognelliSearch for articles by this author, Gabriela MalcervellixGabriela MalcervelliSearch for articles by this author, Carlos Fernando Garcia GerardixCarlos Fernando Garcia GerardiSearch for articles by this author, Eduardo L. MorgenfeldxEduardo L. MorgenfeldSearch for articles by this author, Edgardo G. J. RivarolaxEdgardo G. J. RivarolaSearch for articles by this author, Felipe G. GercovichxFelipe G. GercovichSearch for articles by this author Show More Instituto Oncologico Henry Moore, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Henry Moore - Universidad del Salvador (HM-ONCOUSAL), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Oncológico Henry Moore, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Henry Moore Institute, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Onc. Henry Moore, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Henry Moore, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Henry Moore, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Oncologico Henry Moore, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaAbstract Disclosures https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2016.34.15_suppl.e18151 Abstract Abstracte18151Background: Empathy is defined as "The ability to understand another's experience, to communicate and confirm that understanding with the other person and to then act in a helpful manner" (Mercer SW al Br J Gen Pract. 2002; 52 (Suppl. S9-12) .Most authors agree that it is a fundamental skill for patient care and satisfaction. The aim of this paper is to show a way to evaluate empathy in the Oncology career at an observational exam of clinical skills. Methods: On November 7th2015 the OSCE HM-ONCOUSAL took place, and all participants had to fill a form with Jefferson´s scale. In three different stations (A = Uncertainty B = curability and C = Incurability) simulated patients evaluated empathy with Jefferson’s test for patients, while observers rated the communication skills of the professional taking the exam. The Jefferson score of each professional, the scale of the simulated patients and the assessment of the observer were then compared. Results: A total of 28 students in the first or second year of medical HM-ONCOUSAL, all with more than three years of medical practice, participated in the OSCE and were assessed in Empathy. Population characteristics. Median age (range) I 34.5 (31-48). Sex: F: 13 / M: 15. Nationality: Argentine: 19 / Foreigners: 9. Score of empathy: median (range): 1. Jefferson scale (Maximum 140): 118.5 (range 82-133). 2. Patient Jefferson Score (Maximum 25 in each station): Station A: 12 (5-25), Station B: 18 (9-24), Station C: 16 (5-25) (Dimensional Analysis of Friedman p = 0.004). Observer Score (Maximum 5 at each station). A: 4 (0-5); B 5 (2-5) and C: 4 (0-5) (Bi-Dimensional Analysis of Friedman p = 0.025). Conclusions: 1) It is possible to evaluate Empathy with simulated patients in OSCE for graduate students in oncology. 2) Female Sex and Argentine Nationality were correlated with greater empathy 3) Curability (B) was correlated with greater empathy than incurability (C), and both (B and C) were correlated with greater empathy than uncertainty (A) 4) Higher empathy scores were achieved when the simulated patient was younger. 5) There was no correlation between Jefferson´s score and the scores submitted by patients or observers© 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology