[Psychometric evaluation of the German version of the "Consultation and Relational Empathy" (CARE) measure at the example of cancer patients].

The patient-reported assessment of physician empathy can be indicated for outcome research, at interventions and in medical practice. The aim of this investigation is the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the German version of the "Consultation and Relational Empathy" (CARE) measure on the example of inpatient cancer patients (N = 326). The one-dimensional structure of the instrument can be replicated by a confirmatorical factor analysis. Hypothesis-consistent relationships to different patient and physician factors as well as to socio-demographic and illness-particular features of the patients can be shown. In medical practice the CARE-scale can be used by the physician e. g. as a time-economic feedback instrument for the evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of their empathic behaviour, as a personal behaviour checklist within a consultation and/or as a checklist to determine patient preferences before/during a consultation.