Attitudes of Portuguese medical residents' towards clinical communication skills

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Loureiro, E (Author) Other; Severo M (Author) FMUP; Ferreira, MA (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Patient Education and Counseling

Vol. 98

Pages: 1039-1043

ISSN: 0738-3991

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-D0G

DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.04.009

Abstract (EN): Objective: To explore the attitudes and perceptions of Portuguese residents towards Clinical Communication Skills (CCS) and the need for complementary training. Methods: 78 medical residents responded to an on-line questionnaire which comprised demographic data, open-ended questions and a Portuguese version of the Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS). Results: Residents gave significantly higher scores (P < 0.001) on CSAS1 (attitudes towards communication skills in general, compared to CSAS2 (attitudes towards the teaching/learning process of CCS). Residents doing their residency training in other parts of the country, other than the north, reveal a higher perception of insufficient training (72.7% vs. 38.7%, P = 0.036). Conclusion: Residents showed more positive attitudes towards communication skills than towards the teaching/learning process. They admit to need more training in CCS in their residency year and highlight that the clinical cycle of undergraduate education should integrate these topics. Content analysis indicates that residents' perceptions are context-influenced. Practice implications: Integration of CCS in the undergraduate education, enhanced during post-graduate training. Training of clinical faculty and supervisors/tutors and the role that stakeholders have to play in order to promote continuous training in CCS; encourage patient-centeredness and reflective practice, as to facilitate transfer of acquired sldlls to clinical practice.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5