E. Yu. Lemeschenko

Relevance. In current emergencies, rapid first aid remains critical for saving lives. First aid providers must possess practical skills, as well as demonstrate psychological preparedness critically associated with empathy. The study aim is to identify the relationship between cognitive and affective empathy, as well as the level of preparedness to provide first aid among the six-year medical students and residents. Methods. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted involving 154 students of Sechenov Medical University (46 sixyear students and 108 residents). We used Russian version of the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Questionnaire (QCAE) and the Psychological Preparedness to Provide Assistance to Victims in Emergencies were used. Statistical techniques involved non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U-test and Spearman’s rank correlation). Results and discussion. Neither the empathy level nor the preparedness to provide first aid showed any correlation with the tear of studies (p > 0.05). Cognitive empathy positively correlated with preparedness to provide first aid (ρ = 0.521; p < 0.001), while affective empathy showed a weak negative correlation (ρ = –0.274; p < 0.001). Cognitive empathy facilitates readiness to provide first aid, whereas high affective empathy may hinder effective action due to emotional distress. Conclusion. n order to improve first aid capacities among medical students, it is worth incorporating exercises and training into the curriculum to foster cognitive empathy and improve emotional regulation.