Physician empathy in Korean clinical contexts: developing a conceptual framework and exploring influencing factors

Despite its well-known clinical importance, physician empathy (PE) has been variably defined and its concepts among cultures are yet to be studied. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework of PE and explore influencing factors on physicians' empathetic behavior in the Korean clinical context. Forty-two faculty members and 67 residents participated in the two-round Delphi survey to arrive at a consensus regarding the conceptual framework of PE in 2019. To explore individual and external factors affecting physicians' empathetic behavior, a Likert scale questionnaire based on an initial free-text response was administered to the same participants. The conceptual framework of PE among Korean doctors consisted of basic communication skills and attitudes, cognitively understanding of patients' thoughts and emotions, and communicating the doctors' understandings to patients. Individual attributes and system- and patient-factors were revealed as influencing factors for PE in real practice. The former included communication ability, self-awareness and management, humanism, clinical competence, and good personality traits. Excessive workload, time constraints, aggressive attitudes, and negative preconceptions towards doctors were perceived as inhibiting or hindering empathy in patient care. PE in the Korean clinical context comprised behavioral and cognitive components. Individual attributes, as well as external factors including system- and patient-factors were identified to affect PE in clinical settings. Further studies are needed to enhance the conceptual clarity of PE and identify how to promote doctors' empathetic practice even in less favorable healthcare environments.