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

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. 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. 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]. Balint groups may contribute to promote clinical empathy among medical students. Trial registration: NCT02681380 •In this randomized controlled trial, empathy at follow-up was significantly higher among the Balint group.•The effect of the intervention on empathy as rated by standardized patients was significant in male participants only.•The use of Balint groups may promote empathy among medical students.