Does nonviolent communication education improve empathy in French medical students?
International Journal of Medical Education. 2021;12:205-218
Justine Epinat-Duclos, Alexandre Foncelle, François Quesque, Eric Chabanat, Alexandre Duguet, Jean Baptiste Van der Henst, Yves Rossetti
ISSN: 2042-6372 DOI: 10.5116/ijme.615e.c507
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Abstract : This study evaluated the effects of NVC training on implicit and explicit markers of empathy. 312 3rd year medical students were included and 123 were randomly selected to be included in the NVC group. These students received theoretical and practical training in NVC, while the others received medical training. Three implicit tests (spatial perspective taking, privileged knowledge and empathy with pain) and two explicit tests (the Jefferson Empathy Scale, translated and simplified, and the Empathy Quotient) were carried out before the training and at least three months after the training, using online software. The data acquired online was analysed using linear mixed models and Bayesian factors. These analyses showed a significant improvement in the Jefferson empathy score in the NVC group, as well as an already well-known gender effect (benefit for women).
Comment: The advantage of this study is that it uses a rigorous methodology (large number of participants, randomised controlled study, several measures evaluated) and above all a medium-term follow-up (3 months) of the effects of a short NVC training course. In addition, the 5 items of the Jefferson scale used showed similar effects. These results are therefore very encouraging. On the other hand, these effects at three months were only observed on one explicit measure out of two (the Jefferson score measuring more specifically the carer-patient relationship, a recent dimension in the lives of these students, and more easily changeable, whereas the Empathy Quotient assesses life-long events, and is therefore difficult to modify in the short term) and were not visible on the implicit tests, which would have provided even more convincing arguments.
Perspective: This study invites us to adopt a rigorous methodology for studying the effects of NVC, to evaluate the effect of longer training courses over the medium and long term, and to investigate what implicit effects could be observed at least in the shorter term.