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University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Empathy is pivotal in healthcare, enhancing patient-provider relationships and healthcare outcomes. This study explores how empathy relates to the Big Five personality traits among Serbian physicians. A cross-sectional survey of 304 Serbian physicians (37.5% male, 62.5% female; mean age 37.38 years) was conducted using online questionnaires from May to August 2023. The Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE) measured empathy levels, and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) assessed personality traits (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism). Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and regression using SPSS, examined associations between personality traits and empathy scores. Significant correlations between empathy and specific personality traits were found, suggesting a relationship between personality traits and empathetic behavior among physicians. Agreeableness (b = 0.298) and Openness to Experience (b = 0.133) emerged as significant positive predictors of empathy. Understanding how personality traits are related to empathy is crucial for enhancing patient care and professional development in healthcare. This study underscores the need to integrate empathy-promoting strategies into medical training to cultivate compassionate healthcare providers.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
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Mirjana Stojanović-Tasić, Milan Latas, Emilija Novaković, Marija Milić, Mirjana Virijević, Kristina Rakić, Nenad Milošević, Jovana Milošević, Jelena Aritonović Pribaković, Suzana Adžić, Romana Petrović, Milica Popović Radovanović, Mary Vukša, Danijela Ilić, Milica Bogdanović, Biljana Trajković, Andrija Milović
(2026)
Teaching empathy in Balint groups
Libyan Journal of Medicine, 21(1)
10.1080/19932820.2026.2651993The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.