Impact of service learning on pharmacy students’ empathy towards patients

Abstract

Objectives.

The purpose is to explore the impact of a pilot service learning project on student empathy. 

Methods.

The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy, a validated assessment tool was used to measure empathy before and after participation in the project. 

Results.

A significant increase in the degree of empathy was observed (mean difference=3.778, 95% CI 0.008 to 7.548, p=0.05) demonstrating that service learning with indigent patients has a positive impact on student empathy.

Conclusions.

Service learning experiences maybe an effective method for increasing orientation towards empathy.