Communication skills training for medical students: an integrated approach

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Communication skills are challenging to impart to medical students.
• The General Medical Council's 1987 report highlighted the need for enhanced training in history-taking and communication.
• Traditional communication training existed in general practice and psychiatry but was less integrated into general medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an integrated communication skills course for medical students.
• To address the need for improved history-taking and communication abilities.
• To assess the impact of a new communication training program across multiple clinical departments.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week integrated course was implemented in January 1988.
• The course involved 12 students per session, rotating through General Practice, Medicine, and Mental Health departments.
• Standardized handouts, an aide-mémoire, and trained tutors using videotape feedback and consultation analysis were employed.

Main Results:

• The inclusion of the Department of Medicine significantly impacted the communication training program.
• Students began to value history-taking as a skill comparable to physical examination.
• The course reinforced communication as a vital component of clinical assessment.

Conclusions:

• Integrated communication skills training is feasible and beneficial for medical students.
• Early introduction of such courses improves history-taking and overall clinical assessment abilities.
• Collaboration between clinical departments enhances the effectiveness of communication training.