Objective.

To assess the level of empathy in medical students attending University of Azuay.

Materials and methods.

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Empathy levels were measured through Jefferson's Physician Empathy Scale, S (JPES) Spanish version, culturally adapted to the Ecuadorian context. A two-factor analysis of variance model III was used in order to assess differences between groups.

Results.

Female students scored higher average levels of empathy when compared to male students in almost all courses except the sixth. Statistically significant differences were found only when gender and class scores were separately analyzed. These differences were non-significant when the interaction between the two mentioned variables was analyzed.

Conclusions.

The results of this study are consistent with other studies, especially those conducted in Latin America, which show variability of empathic response among medical students.

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