ERUDiTE, which stands for Empathy Raising in Universities through Digital Tools and Education, is being implemented under the Erasmus+ programme in partnership with the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, the University of Tübingen, and the University of Cyprus.
At WUM, the project is coordinated by Dr Magdalena Łazarewicz from the Department of Health Psychology, who also serves as Coordinator of the University Psychological Counselling Centre at the WUM Clinical Medical Centre. The project team also includes Prof. Dorota Włodarczyk, Head of the Department of Health Psychology at WUM and the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the WUM Central Clinical Hospital; Katarzyna Moszczyńska from the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the WUM Central Clinical Hospital; and Hanna Wojtasik from the WUM International Relations Office.
The project is conducted under the patronage of Professor Rafał Krenke, Rector of WUM.
The Empathy Handbook
One of the key outcomes of the project is The Empathy Handbook.
“It is a practical guide, grounded in current scientific knowledge, that helps readers understand and develop empathy, particularly in the context of medical education and patient care,” says Magdalena Łazarewicz.
The handbook explores whether empathy benefits healthcare professionals in their work, how it affects patients, and whether it can influence career development. Written in clear and accessible language, the publication includes engaging case studies, examples of empathetic and non-empathetic medical consultations, and practical tips for strengthening empathic skills.
The handbook is available free of charge in several languages, including Polish, and can be downloaded directly from the project website.
Empathy Web Platform
Another outcome of the ERUDiTE project is the Empathy Web Platform. Developed primarily for students of medical and healthcare-related disciplines, the platform provides access to educational materials on empathy and its significance in both academic and clinical settings, as well as guidance on how to further develop empathic skills.
Perhaps the most valuable feature of the platform is the opportunity to conduct a self-assessment and gain a deeper understanding of one’s personal empathy profile. This is done through a series of online questionnaires. After completing each of the main questionnaires -TEQ, CASES, and AES- participants receive brief feedback indicating their level of empathy and academic entitlement. For a more comprehensive assessment and a personalized interpretation of the results, it is recommended to complete all three questionnaires. It is well worth the effort!
Visit the Empathy Web Platform – It is truly worth it!