Enhancing Medical Education Through Backward Design: Aligning Curriculum With Patient Perspectives on Empathy

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Methodological and Theoretical Perspectives in Professions Education (Table 13)

Abstract

Traditionally, medical education has overlooked the importance of empathy in clinical practice. Recent research highlights that empathy—understanding and sharing patient emotions—enhances teamwork, improves patient relationships, and reduces physician burnout. This proposal explores the integration of empathy into medical curricula, emphasizing its benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. Using grounded theory and semi-structured interviews, this study examines patient perceptions of necessary empathetic behaviors and communication skills in healthcare professionals. Participants, selected via the snowball method, provided diverse perspectives on empathy. Findings indicate that higher empathy levels foster trust and reduce patient anxiety, aligning with the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. The session will discuss strategies to adjust medical education to better reflect the patient perspective.

Author

• Ramona Dorough, UT Southwestern Medical Center