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Physician Empathy and Compassion for Inmate-Patients in the Correctional Health Care Setting

Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, ndhawan{at}mednet.ucla.edu

Alan B. Steinbach, PhD, MD

UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley

Jodi Halpern, MD, PhD

UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley

The authors investigated empathy and compassion among physicians who work in correctional settings. A questionnaire was sent to two groups: correctional and noncorrectional physicians. Correctional physicians reported gratification in helping patients and responded similarly to noncorrectional physicians on empathy items. They also showed greater interest in their patients' conditions. But physicians who worked exclusively in corrections reported lower scores on items that assessed specific components of empathy, particularly emotional resonance and intrinsic curiosity about the patient as an individual. Thus, correctional physicians display empathy and compassion just as noncorrectional physicians do; yet differences may exist. Correctional physicians may not be as emotionally attuned to their patients and may display less curiosity about their feelings. Therefore, their work satisfaction may not be derived from the interpersonal component of medical care.

Key Words: empathy • compassion • correctional health care • physician—patient relationship

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Journal of Correctional Health Care, Vol. 13, No. 4, 257-267 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1078345807307112


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Dhawan, N. Articles by Halpern, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Dhawan, N. Articles by Halpern, J. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?