Table 1.
Changes in the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES) score before and after immersive virtual reality experiential learning (n=344)
| Question | Before, mean score (SD) | After, mean score (SD) | t statistic | ||
|
|
|
|
Mean difference (SD) | t test (df) | P value |
| 1. It is necessary for a health care practitioner to be able to comprehend someone else’s experiences. | 5.80 (0.89) | 5.83 (0.91) | 0.03 (1.11) | 0.46 (304) | .64 |
| 2. I am able to express my understanding of someone’s feelings. | 5.38 (0.92) | 5.61 (0.91) | 0.23 (1.04) | 3.91 (304) | <.001 |
| 3. I am able to comprehend someone else’s experiences. | 5.33 (0.85) | 5.65 (0.88) | 0.32 (1.06) | 5.32 (304) | <.001 |
| 4. I will not allow myself to be influenced by someone’s feelings when determining the best treatmenta. | 4.62 (1.27) | 4.65 (1.43) | 0.62 (2.28) | 4.88 (304) | <.001 |
| 5. It is necessary for a health care practitioner to be able to express an understanding of someone’s feelings. | 5.77 (0.85) | 5.85 (0.74) | 0.79 (0.93) | 1.48 (304) | .14 |
| 6. It is necessary for a health care practitioner to be able to value someone else’s point of view. | 5.80 (0.88) | 5.93 (0.82) | 0.13 (1.04) | 2.10 (304) | .04 |
| 7. I believe that caring is essential to building a strong relationship with patients. | 6.06 (0.79) | 6.03 (0.82) | 0.03 (0.89) | 0.58 (304) | .56 |
| 8. I am able to view the world from another person’s perspective. | 5.34 (0.94) | 5.69 (0.85) | 0.35 (1.15) | 5.26 (304) | <.001 |
| 9. Considering someone’s feelings is not necessary to provide patient-centered carea. | 3.15 (1.79) | 3.78 (2.11) | 0.64 (2.28) | 4.88 (304) | <.001 |
| 10. I am able to value someone else’s point of view. | 5.43 (0.87) | 5.70 (0.84) | 0.27 (1.05) | 4.52 (304) | <.001 |
| 11. I have difficulty identifying with some else’s feelingsa. | 3.51 (1.43) | 3.98 (1.66) | 0.47 (1.88) | 4.38 (304) | <.001 |
| 12. To build a strong relationship with patients, it is essential for a health care practitioner to be caring. | 5.81 (0.88) | 5.93 (0.82) | 0.12 (1.02) | 2.03 (304) | .04 |
| 13. It is necessary for a health care practitioner to identify with someone else’s feelings. | 5.73 (0.87) | 5.94 (0.79) | 0.20 (0.94) | 3.77 (304) | <.001 |
| 14. It is necessary for a health care practitioner to be able to view the world from another person’s perspective. | 5.69 (0.87) | 5.90 (0.84) | 0.21 (0.92) | 4.03 (304) | <.001 |
| 15. A health care practitioner should not be influenced by someone’s feelings when determining the best treatmenta. | 4.81 (1.36) | 4.70 (1.60) | 0.11 (1.59) | 1.15 (304) | .25 |
| Total KCES | 78.06 (7.72) | 81.17 (8.93) | 3.11 (0.523) | 3.95 (304) | <.001 |
aItems with negative wordings are scored in reverse.