Teaching and assessing communication skills as an element of early clinical exposure (ECE) in first year medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Effective communication skills are essential to improve the doctor-patient relationship and are associated with favourable health outcomes. So, to introduce a training program of communications skills as an element of early clinical exposure in the first founding years of MBBS will help them as to deliver their professional duties as future physicians to the fullest extent. Materials and Methods: All the 1st year M.B.B.S. students (n=122) were sensitized about the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication skills followed by their visit to RHTC (Rural health and training centre) where they used their communication skills to create awareness about personal hygiene among the community. Faculty members observed the communication skills and assessed the students by using Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist. A Focus Group discussion (FGD) of the faculty regarding their opinion was conducted to take faculty’s feedback and valid conclusions drawn using a five-point Likert scale. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20 ± 1.1 years. 81.1% of the students acquired good to average communication skills based on Kalamazoo essential elements communication checklist within the community. Regarding students’ experience in the community, 93.4% replied that the experience was good, 54.1% faced no difficulty, 24.6% said that they gained confidence and 55.7% replied that they learnt to communicate effectively. Most of the faculty thought that learning communication skills is necessary for improving the doctor-patient relationship. Conclusions: To introduce training for effective communication skills as an element of ECE in the very first year of MBBS will improve the role of students as future physicians. But this needs pre-sensitization of students as well as faculty and more resources including manpower and time.