Longitudinal and concentrated communication skills programmes: two dutch medical schools compared

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Dutch medical schools in Maastricht and Leiden employ different communication skills training (CST) approaches.
• Maastricht utilizes a longitudinal, integrated program within a problem-based curriculum.
• Leiden concentrates CST in preclinical and early clinical phases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of Maastricht's integrated CST approach versus Leiden's concentrated course approach.
• To assess communication skills in fourth-year and sixth-year medical students.

Main Methods:

• 161 fourth-year and sixth-year medical students from both universities participated.
• Communication skills were evaluated using four Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations with standardized patients.
• Trained observers used a checklist to rate student-patient consultations.

Main Results:

• Maastricht students scored significantly higher in communication skills than Leiden students.
• Leiden students showed score improvement between years 4 and 6.
• Maastricht students' scores remained stable between years 4 and 6.

Conclusions:

• A longitudinal, integrated approach to communication skills training appears more effective than concentrated courses.
• Formal communication skills training during the clinical phase can enhance student performance.
• An integrated, longitudinal program continuing through clinical years is recommended for optimal CST.