Empathy in general practice: A survey of its essential levers

Empathy lies at the heart of the doctor-patient relationship, with a positive impact on both patient and practitioner. The aims of our work were to determine the sociodemographic and professional factors associated with GPs' clinical empathy, and the link between empathy and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) in this population.We conducted a study among GPs. We used a semi-structured questionnaire with variables relating to socio-demographic characteristics, professional practice characteristics and organizational parameters of professional practice. We used the Jefferson Empathy Scale to assess empathy in doctors, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess anxiety and depressive symptomatology. The determinants of empathy in GPs have yet to be fully elucidated. For this reason, large-sample studies are needed.