• Lisabeth F DiLalla, Sharon K Hull, J Kevin Dorsey, and Department of Family and Community Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale 62901, USA. ldilalla@siu.edu.
• Teach Learn Med. 2004 Jan 1;16(2):165-70.

BackgroundThe emphasis in medical education on viewing the patient as a whole person addresses current concerns about the negative impact of standard physician training that may lead to impaired patient-physician relationships.PurposesTo assess self-ratings of empathy, spirituality, wellness, and tolerance in a sample of medical students and practitioners to explore differences by gender, age, and training.MethodsA survey was created that assesses empathy, spirituality, wellness, and tolerance in the medical setting. Surveys were completed anonymously by medical students and practitioners from the medical school.ResultsThe youngest groups scored highest on empathy and wellness and lowest on tolerance. Participation in medical school wellness sessions correlated with higher empathy and wellness scores; participation in both empathy and spirituality sessions correlated with higher empathy scores.ConclusionExposure to educational activities in empathy, philosophical values and meaning, and wellness during medical school may increase empathy and wellness in medical practice.

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