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The Devil is in the Third Year: A Longitudinal Study of Erosion of Empathy in Medical School

Academic MedicinePublished 22 August 2009
Mohammadreza Hojat, Michael J. Vergare, Kaye Maxwell, George C. Brainard, Steven K. Herrine, Gerald A. Isenberg
Citations1,590
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.45
SNIP2.03

TL;DR

It is concluded that a significant decline in empathy occurs during the third year of medical school, and it is ironic that the erosion of empathy occurs when the curriculum is shifting toward patient-care activities; this is when empathy is most essential.

Abstract

It is concluded that a significant decline in empathy occurs during the third year of medical school. It is ironic that the erosion of empathy occurs during a time when the curriculum is shifting toward patient-care activities; this is when empathy is most essential. Implications for retaining and enhancing empathy are discussed.

Keywords

MedicineHealth Professions