Effect of Clinician-Expressed Empathy in Advanced Cancer on Different Ethnic Groups: Results from an Experimental Video-Vignette Study.

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> In advanced cancer, clinician-expressed empathy can improve patients' psychological outcomes. It remains unknown whether all patients benefit equally from empathy. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To explore whether the effect of clinician-expressed empathy on patients' psychological outcomes is moderated by patient ethnicity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Using an experimental video-vignette design, 160 participants watched a consultation-video with/without added empathy. Using regression analysis, the moderating effect of ethnicity (non-Western- vs. Dutch/Western-immigration background) on the relationship between empathy and psychological outcomes was assessed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The main effect of empathy on satisfaction (<i>p</i> = 0.001), trust (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and self-efficacy (<i>p</i> < 0.001) was moderated by ethnicity (satisfaction, <i>p</i> = 0.050; trust, <i>p</i> = 0.066; self-efficacy, <i>p</i> = 0.075). No main effect of empathy nor moderation by ethnicity was found for anxiety (state anxiety: <i>p</i> = 0.284, <i>p</i> = 0.319; current anxiety: <i>p</i> = 0.357, <i>p</i> = 0.949). No main effects of ethnicity (satisfaction, <i>p</i> = 0.942; trust, <i>p</i> = 0.724; self-efficacy, <i>p</i> = 0.244; state anxiety, <i>p</i> = 0.812; current anxiety <i>p</i> = 0.523) were found. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In advanced cancer, non-Western patients might benefit most from empathy. Dutch Trial Registration Number: NTR NL8992.