Medical Students' Perception and Satisfaction with Medical Communication Teaching Using Electronic Modules

Abstract

PURPOSE To teach communication skills to medical students, a variety of instructional text and video materials are used. The purpose of this study was to investigate medical students' perception and satisfaction with medical communication teaching using electronic modules. METHODS Medical communication subjects were developed for freshmen of the medical department. Each lesson was configured for the use of educational electronic modules. The modules were composed of a database of instructional materials and a program file that could link the materials. After the 2nd and 12th week of classes, the 8th and 14th practice interviews with simulated patients, and the end of the course, medical students' perception and satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS Forty-five students participated in the survey. Students' satisfaction after the 2nd and 12th week of class was 16.2 (standard deviation [SD], 2.0) and 16.2 (SD, 2.1), respectively. The correlation between class satisfaction and awareness of the usefulness of the electronic modules was significant (p<0.05). After the end of the course, the students' average satisfaction score was 6.7 of 10 points (SD, 1.4). Satisfaction with the practice interview and evaluation using simulated patients was 7.5 (SD, 2.3). For the practice interview, empathy, building a relationship, effective questioning, and active listening could be applied. CONCLUSION Medical student satisfaction with medical communication teaching using electronic modules was high. Students who were aware of the usefulness of the electronic modules had higher satisfaction with their classes. Many interview skills of the initial and middle phase of interviewing could be applied for the practice interview.