Third year medical students perceptions towards learning communication skills: Implications for medical education

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Loureiro, E (Author) Other; Severo M (Author) FMUP; Bettencourt P (Author) FMUP; tavares, ma (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Patient Education and Counseling

Vol. 85

Pages: E265-E271

ISSN: 0738-3991

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-15V

DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.04.009

Abstract (EN): Objective: To analyze students' perceptions towards learning communication skills pre-and-post training in a Communication and Clinical Skills Course (CCSC) at a Portuguese Medical School. Methods: Content analysis was used to describe and systematically analyze the content written by students (n = 215 from a total of 229) in an open-ended survey. In addition, content analysis association rules were used to identify meaning units. Results: Students' pre-training definitions of communication skills were not specific; their post-training definitions were more precise and elaborated. Students perceived communications skills in Medicine as important (61%), but recommended that teaching methodologies (52%) be restructured. There appeared to be no connection between criticism of teaching skills performance and perceptions of the other aspects of the course. Conclusion: Students' experiences at CCSC are associated with their perceptions of communications skills learning. Content analysis associations indicated that these perceptions are influenced by context. Practice implications: Improvement of curricula, teaching and assessment methods, and investment in faculty development are likely to foster positive perceptions towards learning communication skills in these students.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7