Table 3 Factor loading for the 20 items of the JSE-HPS questionnaire

20

I believe that empathy is an important factor in patients’ treatment

Eigenvalue:2.846

Cronbach’s α: 0.780

IC 95% [0.734–0.821]

13

Health care providers should try to understand what is going on in their patients’ minds by paying attention to their non-verbal cues and body language

16

Health care providers’ understanding of the emotional status of their patients. as well as that of their families is one important component of the health care provider – patient relationship

17

Health care providers should try to think like their patients in order to render better care

15

Empathy is a therapeutic skill without which a health care provider’s success is limited

4

Understanding body language is as important as verbal communication in health care provider - patient relationships

10

Patients value a health care provider’s understanding of their feelings which is therapeutic in its own right

2

Patients feel better when their health care providers understand their feelings

9

Health care providers should try to stand in their patients’ shoes when providing care to them

5

A health care provider’s sense of humor contributes to a better clinical outcome

7

Attention to patients’ emotions is not important in patient interview

Eigenvalue: 1.455

Cronbach’s α: 0.720

IC 95% [0.702–0.798]

1

Health care providers’ understanding of their patients’ feelings and the feelings of their patients’ families does not influence treatment outcomes

8

Attentiveness to patients’ personal experiences does not influence treatment outcomes

11

Patients’ illnesses can be cured only by targeted treatment; therefore. Health care providers’ emotional ties with their patients do not have a significant influence in treatment outcomes

12

Asking patients about what is happening in their personal lives is not helpful in understanding their physical complaints

19

I do not enjoy reading non-medical literature or the arts

14

I believe that emotion has no place in the treatment of medical illness

18

Health care providers should not allow themselves to be influenced by strong personal bonds between their patients and their family members

3

It is difficult for a health care provider to view things from patients’ perspectives

Eigenvalue: 1.396

Cronbach’s α: 0.698

IC 95% [0.696–0.720]

6

Because people are different. it is difficult to see things from patients’ perspectives