Teaching communication at the medical school in Ljubljana

Early clinical exposure helps medical students to develop appropriate attitudes towards their learning and future medical practice and give them an opportunity for improving communication skills. New curriculum at the Medical faculty of Ljubljana introduced early clinical exposure (ECE) for the first year medical students through the subject Communication. We present the aims and the content of the curriculum Communication and present our experience, students feedback, dilemmas and ideas for the future development of the curriculum. Decision for the introduction of this subject is based on the result of survey about the key competences of doctors, review of the literature and empirical recognition of the fact that previous programme lacked the necessary knowledge and experience for good interpersonal communication. The main goals of our teaching are in improving communication skills and understanding and assuming that good doctor-patients relationship is crucial for the successful treatment. The curriculum consists of theoretical part (lectures from medical psychology) and practical part (communication in a small group using prepared vignettes, interview with nursing home residents and observation of general practitioners work during their 1-day practice attachment). Students evaluated the curriculum as very valuable at the beginning of their learning. The practical part of the programme, in which they had contact with patients and experienced the role of a physician, better, was highly appreciated. ECE help medical students improve their communication skills, they interact with more confidence in interaction with patients and develop appropriate personal attitudes for their future professional carrier.