Out of total of 86 residents in women and child health division, 70 responded to both the surveys representing an 81.4%response rate. The response rate was better in Obstetrics &Gynecology department; 22 out of 23(95.65%) compared to Pediatrics; 48 out of 63(76.2%). All respondents in Obstetrics &Gynecology were females and comprised of 31.4% and remaining 68.6% belonged to Pediatrics. Most of the respondents (59%) were in the age range of 28-30 years. There was a female preponderance with 57 females (81.43%) and 13 males (18.47%). For the purpose of analysis, residents in years 1 and 2 were grouped as junior residents and in years 3 and 4 as senior residents. In both departments, majority of participants, about 70% were juniors, while only 29 % were seniors (Table 1).
Table 1: Frequency distribution of respondents by year of residency
Residency year
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Obstetrics and Gynecology(N)
|
Pediatrics
(N)
|
Year 1
|
21
|
30.00
|
7
|
14
|
Year 2
|
28
|
40.00
|
11
|
17
|
Year 3
|
12
|
17.14
|
2
|
10
|
Year 4
|
9
|
12.86
|
2
|
7
|
Cronbach’s α for JSPE scale was found to be 0.76 and for PCI was 0.65. Sub scale analysis of the items for professional and unprofessional behaviors showed Cronbach’s α of 0.8 0.57 respectively.
The overall mean empathy score was 103 with a standard deviation of (SD) ± 13 with a slightly higher mean for the Obstetrics & Gynecology respondents. The range for the empathy scores was 73 -125 (Figure 1).
The mean empathy score for Gynaecology residents was 106 with a SD of ± 12.5 and a range of 73 -122, whereas the mean empathy score for the Pediatrics respondents was 102 with a SD of ± 13.1and range of 73 -125. The empathy scores for junior and senior residents of the both departments were measured separately. Independent t-test indicated no statistically significant difference in mean empathy scores between junior and senior residents in both departments (Table 2).
Table 2: Mean empathy score in OBGYN/Paediatrics based on year of residency
|
Total
|
Obstetrics&Gynaecology
|
Paediatrics
|
Junior
Years 1 and 2
|
Seniors
years 3 and 4
|
Junior
Years 1 and 2
|
Seniors
years 3 and 4
|
Number of Respondents
|
70
|
18
|
4
|
31
|
17
|
Range
|
73-125
|
73-119
|
106-122
|
73-120
|
80-125
|
Mean
|
103
|
104.1
|
115.0
|
101.3
|
102.1
|
Mode
|
116
|
101
|
116
|
95
|
103
|
Standard Deviation
|
13
|
12.7
|
6.6
|
12.9
|
13.8
|
There were 18 junior and 4 senior residents in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the mean empathy score for the juniors was 104.1± 12.7 and for the seniors was 115.0 ± 6.6 with a range of 73-119 and 106-122 respectively. In the Pediatrics department there were 31 junior and 17 senior residents; the mean empathy score, SD, and range for juniors were 101.3 ± 12.9, and 73-120 respectively, whereas for seniors, the values were 102.1 ±13.8, and 80-125 respectively.
Overall, there was 57 female and 13male respondents in both specialties. The mean empathy score and SD of female and male participants were 104 ± 12.11 and 94.92 ± 14.08 respectively (Table 3). Independent t-test for female versus male residents in both specialties (t (68) = 2.58, p = 0.012) revealed that the mean empathy score in female residents (9.94; 95% CI, 2.27-17.59) was much higher than the male residents.
Table 3: Empathy score distribution by gender in both specialties
|
Total
|
Female
|
Male
|
Number of Respondents
|
70
|
57
|
13
|
Empathy score
|
103
|
104
|
94.92
|
Standard Deviation
|
13.1
|
12.11
|
14.08
|
The Professionalism Climate
The mean PCI score for the Obstetrics &Gynecology respondents was 100.31±8.43 and a range of 85 -114. The mean PCI score for Pediatric respondents was 100.55 ± 8.88 with a range of 85 -124. Tables 4 showed PCI score distribution according to the level of residency in both specialties.
Independent sample t-test to compare the mean PCI scores between junior and senior residents of both specialties indicated no significant difference in PCI scores between junior and senior residents of both specialties.
Table 4: Mean PCI score in OBGYN/Paediatrics based on year of residency
|
Total
|
Obstetrics&Gynaecology
|
Paediatrics
|
Junior
Years 1 and 2
|
Seniors
years 3 and 4
|
Junior
Years 1 and 2
|
Seniors
years 3 and 4
|
Number of Respondents
|
70
|
18
|
4
|
31
|
17
|
Range
|
85-124
|
85-114
|
101-112
|
82-124
|
86-112
|
Mean
|
100.31
|
99.27
|
105
|
101.18
|
99.09
|
Median
|
102.5
|
101
|
103.5
|
101
|
101
|
Standard Deviation
|
8.43
|
8.78
|
4.96
|
9.63
|
6.81
|
The range of scores possible for both professionalism and unprofessionalism constructs was 18-24. The mean professionalism score was perceived to be highest in the resident group and lowest in the medical student group, whereas mean unprofessionalism score was similar in both faculty and the resident group and slightly higher among the students.
Spearman’s rank–order correlation indicated a weak correlation (rS =0.056, p = 0.64) between empathy level and professionalism.