Empathy and its correlates in Iranian physicians: A preliminary psychometric study of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy

Background: Empathy is one of the fundamental factors in patient care that is beneficial to both patient and physician. Aims: To assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) in a sample of Iranian physicians and examine its correlates. Method: Two hundred and seven general physicians completed the JSPE. The associations of empathy scores with demographic characteristics and practice-related variables were examined. Results: The scale showed an acceptable internal consistency (alpha=0.78). Three of six extracted factors were considered as prominent based on the scree test, which were similar to those obtained in the US samples. Women scored higher than men. Empathy improved with increasing practice experiences. Other practice-related variables did not show a significant association with empathy. Conclusions: Results support the construct and criterion-related validities and reliability of the Persian version of the JSPE. Score difference between Iranian and American samples may not reflect a genuine difference in empathy trait and can be explained by cultural factors.