Attitude towards the medical profession, self-esteem and life satisfaction as predictors of physician empathy in dentistry students

Attitude Towards the Medical Profession, Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction as Predictors of Physician Empathy in Dentistry Students Aim: The aim of this face-to-face survey is to investigate the effects of attitude towards the medical profession, self-esteem and life satisfaction on physician empathy in Inonu University, Faculty of Dentistry students. Material and Method: In 2019-2020 academic year, 444 students of the Inonu University Faculty of Dentistry between the 1st and 5th grades were voluntarily participated in this study. The scales whose Turkish versions were proven to be valid and reliable, Jefferson Physician Empathy, attitude towards the medical profession, life satisfaction and Rosenberg Self-Esteem were used in the study. A form containing questionnaires and personal information was delivered to the students by the researchers. Correlation and multiple regression analyzes were performed to measure the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Results: Data obtained from the forms of four hundred and thirty eight students were analyzed. The students' mean physician empathy value is (x̄ JSE = 101.26), the average of the attitude towards the medical profession value is (x̄ HMYTÖ = 85.96), the average life satisfaction value is (x̄ YDÖ = 13.81) and the average self-esteem value is (x̄ RBSÖ = 30.13). There was no statistically significant difference in physician empathy between the students in grades 1st-5th . It was found that physician empathy had a statistically significant relationship with attitude towards the medical profession and self-esteem. There was no statistically significant relationship between life satisfaction and physician empathy. These two variables together explain 13% of the change in physician empathy values. Conclusion: The empathic attitude of the physician towards the patient during the dental education is influenced by the physician's views about the profession and himself/herself. Physician empathy did not change between the years of the students' education. The willingness of the profession choice of dentistry students has no effect on physician empathy. Keywords: Attitude towards the medical profession, life satisfaction, self-esteem, physician empathy.