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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent of empathy in paramedic students across seven Australian universities. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study was carried out using a paper-based questionnaire employing a convenience sample of first, second, and third year undergraduate paramedic students. Student empathy levels were measured using a standardised self-reporting instrument: the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Profession Students ( JSPE-HPS). Findings – A total of 783 students participated in the study, of which 57 per cent were females. The overall JSPE-HPS mean score was 106.74 (SD¼14.8). Females had greater mean empathy scores than males 108.69 v 103.58 (p¼0.042). First year undergraduate paramedic mean empathy levels were the lowest, 106.29 (SD¼15.40) with second year’s the highest at 107.17 (SD¼14.90). Originality/value – The overall findings provide a framework for educators to begin constructing guidelines focusing on the need to incorporate, promote and instil empathy into paramedic students in order to better prepare them for future out-of-hospital healthcare practice.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Paramedic Student Empathy Levels
Research Division:	Education
Research Group:	Curriculum and pedagogy
Research Field:	Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Evaluation of health and support services
Objective Field:	Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	McCall, MJ (Mr Michael McCall)
UTAS Author:	McMullen, PM (Dr Paula McMullen)
ID Code:	85397
Year Published:	2012
Deposited By:	Medicine
Deposited On:	2013-07-04
Last Modified:	2014-11-25
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