The instruction of students in healthcare disciplines, including dietetics, is multifaceted. It encompasses didactic education, clinical expertise and interpersonal skills essential for quality patient care. In addition to expertise in practice, healthcare educators must possess social and emotional competencies to train students effectively.

Empathy is a crucial human response that fosters effective interpersonal relationships. In the classroom and in the professional setting, empathy can significantly impact student performance and outcomes, potentially influencing their patient-centered care practices. This session will present findings from research on self-perceived empathetic teaching practices among educators in healthcare disciplines.

We will discuss both qualitative and quantitative findings, specifically among nutrition and dietetics educators, and present a validated empathy scale for higher education instructors which the audience will be able to determine their own empathy score. Presenters will explore how instructors in healthcare, including RDNs and preceptors, define, develop and demonstrate empathy towards students.