Promoting empathy among medical students: A two-site randomized controlled study

Objective: To assess the effects of Balint groups on empathy measured by the Consultation And Relational Empathy Measure (CARE) scale rated by standardized patients during objective structured clinical examination and self-rated Jefferson's School Empathy Scale - Medical Student (JSPE-MS©) among fourth-year medical students.

Methods: A two-site randomized controlled trial were planned, from October 2015 to December 2015 at Paris Diderot and Paris Descartes University, France. Eligible students were fourth-year students who gave their consent to participate. Participants were allocated in equal proportion to the intervention group or to the control group. Participants in the intervention group received a training of 7 sessions of 1.5-hour Balint groups, over 3months. The main outcomes were CARE and the JSPE-MS© scores at follow-up.

Results: Data from 299 out of 352 randomized participants were analyzed: 155 in the intervention group and 144 in the control group, with no differences in baseline measures. There was no significant difference in CARE score at follow-up between the two groups (P=0.49). The intervention group displayed significantly higher JSPE-MS© score at follow-up than the control group [Mean (SD): 111.9 (10.6) versus 107.7 (12.7), P=0.002]. The JSPE-MS© score increased from baseline to follow-up in the intervention group, whereas it decreased in the control group [1.5 (9.1) versus -1.8 (10.8), P=0.006].

Conclusions: Balint groups may contribute to promote clinical empathy among medical students.

Trial registration: NCT02681380.