Introduction Of A Module In Communication Skills To Post Graduate Students

Abstract

Background: Objective: To develop and implement a module on communication skills and evaluate its feasibility and usefulness among post graduate students.

Methodology: It was a prospective study and all post graduate students in the department of  paediatrics were enrolled after taking informed consent. Communication skills module was designed and validated. One day workshop was conducted which included video sessions, role-plays, lectures and small group discussion. A retro-pre questionnaire was used to assess the difference in the knowledge and attitude towards communication skill using Communication Skill Attitude Scale (CSAS). Feedback from faculty and postgraduates was obtained through a 5-point Likert scale feedback questionnaire.

Results: ‘Good communication skills are important for being a good doctor’ showed a rise from  79% ’Neutral’ to ‘Agree’ 89.4% post workshop. ‘Learning communication skills was interesting and helped to respect the patients’ showed a rise to ‘strongly agree’. On Likert scale ‘Good communication skills is not needed to be a good doctors’ showed a change in ’disagree’ from 10% to 84.2%. Though 79% of the participants ‘Strongly agree’ that the workshop was clear in its  aim and objectives, 26.3% ‘disagreed’ that it was  adequate. The overall quality of training program were rated ‘Good’ 63.25%, Excellent 21% and ‘Very Good’ by15.8%. Approximately 85% of participants and faculty wanted the module to be a part of the curriculum. Role play was voted as the best session.

Conclusion: Communication skills should be taught to the post graduates with inclusion of communication skills module in their teaching curriculum.