[Exploring empathy in first-semester nursing students using the empathy quotient (EQ)Explorando a Empatia de Estudantes de Enfermagem do Primeiro Semestre através do Quociente de Empatia (QE)].

INTRODUCTION

Empathy either considered as a dimension or a competence is crucial for the development of our social species, particularly in a situation as special as the care of others.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the quotient of empathy of the first semester students of nursing at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia hosts Bucaramanga and its relations with the variables sex, age, social condition and city of origin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the quotient of empathy using the EQ test Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright in all students in the first semester (N: 100). The relationship with the variables sex, age, social stratum and origin were determined by t test and F test, as well as ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

No statistical differences were found between the quotients of empathy of the sexes, age, social condition or city of origin, but variations in the distribution of the data were observed. Was determined a negative relationship between age and social condition with the quotients of empathy.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean of the quotient of empathy of the population of nursing students from first semester was of 40,3 locating it in a middle position, the study group was quite heterogeneous, with a development low to medium of empathy. Strategies are necessary throughout his professional career for the development of empathy in this population of students since the vast majority will get your professional degree before reaching the brain maturity.