Expanded Cross-Sectional Testing of Psychometric Properties of the Kiersma Chen Empathy Scale in Health Professions Students

Authors

David B. Gillette, University of the PacificFollow
Todd E. Davenport, University of the PacificFollow
Tracey DelNero, University of the PacificFollow
Deepti Vyas, University of the PacificFollow
Jeannene Ward-Lonergan, University of the PacificFollow
Rupa Balachandran, VA Northern California Health Care SystemFollow

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Empathy is important in providing healthcare and should be formed and evaluated during healthcare education. The purpose of these studies was to assess reliability and validity of a no-cost empathy scale and its cognitive and affective subscales in health professions students. Method: For reliability, students in six programs received two administrations of the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES). A blind researcher analyzed data, using Cronbach’s α to assess homogeneity for total and subscale scores, and Pearson correlation to assess association between subscales and total scores. Two-way intraclass correlation coefficients with random effects were used to determine total and subscale score reliability. Minimum detectable change was calculated for total and subscale scores. For validity, students in eight programs were invited to complete the KCES, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Health Professions Students (JSE-HPS), and a demographic questionnaire. Statistical significance was considered at pResults: KCES total score demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability. Both subscales demonstrated fair internal consistency and reliability. Subscale scores demonstrated significant and strong correlations with the total score, but significant and fair correlations with each other. Total and subscale scores demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability. The KCES and JSE-HPS are internally consistent; only 3 KCES items and no JSE-HPS items demonstrated robust item-total correlation. Adjusted total scores for KCES and JSE-HPS were significantly correlated, suggesting high concurrent validity. KCES and JSE-HPS scores were significantly correlated for KCES cognitive subscales. Conclusion: The KCES is a reliable and valid no-cost option to measure empathy of health professional students.

Author Bio(s)

David Gillette, PT, DPT, GCS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

Tracey DelNero, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA is a Clinical Professor and the Director of the Physician Assistant Program n the School of Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in Sacramento, CA.

Deepti Vyas, PharmD is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Interprofessional Education at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

Jeannene M. Ward-Lonergan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in Sacramento, CA.

Rupa Balachandran, PhD, CCC-A is the Assistant Service Chief for Audiology and Speech Pathology for the VA Northern California Health Care System.

Recommended Citation

Gillette DB, Davenport TE, DelNero T, Vyas D, Ward-Lonergan J, Balachandran R. Expanded Cross-Sectional Testing of Psychometric Properties of the Kiersma Chen Empathy Scale in Health Professions Students. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 26.