Training in empathic skills improves the patient physician relationship during the first consultation in a fertility clinic

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of physician training in empathic skills on patients’ satisfaction just after their first consultation in a private fertility clinic setting.

DESIGN:

Prospective study.

SETTING:

Private fertility clinic.

PATIENT(S):

Thirteen physicians were evaluated by 2,146 patients.

INTERVENTION(S):

The empathic training of physicians was centered on emotional intelligence, communication elements, social styles andempathy, and practical workshops. After their first consultation with the physician, patients answered a self-rating questionnaire comprising five scales: information provided, dynamic of the visit, time dedicated, patient-physician interaction, and expertise.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Patients’ satisfaction scores after the empathic training of physicians.

RESULT(S):

For all five scales, the empathic training resulted in a significant change of the global scoring distribution with a shift toward higher scores. The intervention also resulted in a lower likelihood of low scoring (in the lower quartile) for all the items.

CONCLUSION(S):

Training in empathic skills of physicians resulted in higher patient satisfaction levels on the perceived information quality, communication skills, and time dedicated at first consultation for fertility treatment.