The development and validation of the empathy response scale for medicine students

doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20240903-00920

Chinese Journal of Medical Education ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 187-192.DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20240903-00920

• Humanistic Quality Education • Previous Articles Next Articles

The development and validation of the empathy response scale for medicine students

Zhou Shiqi¹, Ye Gengchen², Wang Yipu³, Jin Xinru⁴, Shen Linxin⁵, Niu Xuan⁶

¹Oral Medicine, Five-year Program, Enrolled in 2021, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China;
²Clinical Medcine, Five-year Program, Enrolled in 2020, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China;
³Basic Medicine, Five-year Program, Enrolled in 2020, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China;
⁴Clinical Medcine, ″5+3″ Program, Enrolled in 2021, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China;
⁵Clinical Medicine, Eight-year Program, Enrolled in 2021, Health Science Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China;
⁶Department of Medical Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China

Received:2024-09-03 Online:2026-03-01 Published:2026-02-28
Contact: Niu Xuan, Email: niuxuan@xjtu.edu.cn
Supported by:
Health Research and Innovation Capacity Strengthening Platform Program of Shaanxi Province (No.2023PT-09)

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To develop and validate a scale for assessing the level of empathy responses in medical students. Methods From August 2021 to June 2023, a literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted to construct the core dimensions and initial item pool for measuring empathy responses in medical students. Expert consultation was used to finalize the scale. In August 2023, a convenience sampling method was applied to select 396 students from 11 medical disciplines across 7 universities in Shaanxi Province for an online survey. The reliability and validity of the scale were tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and factor analysis. Results The scale consists of four dimensions—emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and cultural—comprising 18 items. The content validity index for individual items ranged from 0.63 to 1.00, while the scale's content validity index was 0.89. All items met the inclusion criteria. A total of 322 valid questionnaires were selected, resulting in a valid response rate of 81.3%. Statistical analysis revealed that the total score for the scale was 126, with a mean score of (102.73±14.07) for the medical students. The Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was 0.939, with individual dimensions scoring 0.770, 0.906, 0.824, and 0.781, respectively. The composite reliability (CR) values for the four dimensions were 0.765, 0.905, 0.829, and 0.782. Factor analysis identified four common factors that explained 67.3% of the total variance, with correlations between dimensions ranging from 0.631 to 0.801. Item loadings ranged from 0.516 to 0.861. The model fit indices were RMSEA = 0.086, RMR = 0.064, and CFI = 0.908, with other fit indices close to 0.900. Conclusions The empathy response scale for medical students was developed and validated. The scale demonstrates comprehensive accuracy with good reliability and validity, making it suitable for evaluating empathy responses in medical students.

Key words: Empathy, Medical students, Scale development, Validation

CLC Number:

Zhou Shiqi, Ye Gengchen, Wang Yipu, Jin Xinru, Shen Linxin, Niu Xuan. The development and validation of the empathy response scale for medicine students[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Education, 2026, 46(3): 187-192.

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The development and validation of the empathy response scale for medicine students

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