Empathy unlocked: Enhancing Emotional Intelligence Skills using Communication Workshop for Undergraduates Medical and Dental Students.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of teaching methods to improve empathy among students of MBBS and BDS

Methodology: Study conducted at Ibn-e-Sina University between Jan 2022 to Dec 2023. 750 students from MBBS and BDS were enrolled. Ethical approval sought from IRB; Ibn-e-Sina University vide isu/erc/2021/3-4 dated Sep 17, 2021. Teaching schedule is routinely announced 5 days before the start of the month. At this time target students were asked to fill the ESA proforma (before taking lecture/workshop). Based on communication skills, large group lectures were delivered to each student twice a week for one week, followed next week by 2 days’ workshop on communication skills. After attending both lecture and communication workshop, students were asked to fill the ESA once again with a latent period of 2 weeks.

Results: The Sign Test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test show clear and statistically significant improvements in empathy after the communication skill workshop. The Run test shows mixed results; significance was found for the second and third comparisons but not for the first. The Mann-Whitney U Test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test show some positive changes but mostly non-significant differences.

Conclusion: The concept that empathy cannot be teach is currently no longer hold true. By enhancing emotional intelligence using appropriate means empathy can be leaned by undergraduates. 

Key words: Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms, Personality, Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy