Attitudes toward patient-centeredness, personality and empathy of Chinese medical students

Previous studies of medical students showed correlations between empathy and personality traits. No study examined the relationship among attitudes toward patient-centeredness, empathy and personality of Chinese medical students yet. The current cross-sectional research used Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale, Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy and NEO Five-Factor Inventory to investigate the relationship of these factors among 686 medical students in Beijing, China. The results proved the correlations among specific personality traits, attitudes toward patient-centeredness and empathy. Agreeableness, Openness to experience and patient centered attitudes were significant predictors of empathy. Grade can moderate the relation between PPOS and empathy. Gender and grade differences were discussed. Cultural implications were also illustrated.