A Brief Course on Clinical Communication Skills: A Multi- Centered Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Clinical communication is crucial for differentiating disease from illness.
• Multicenter courses utilizing small groups, patient actors, and feedback are effective teaching methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the outcomes of a multicenter clinical communication skills course.
• To enhance participants' ability to recognize disease manifestations versus patient illness experiences.

Main Methods:

• The course was implemented with third and fourth-year medical students at four universities (three in Brazil, one in Portugal).
• Evaluations included participant-reported scales, multiple-choice questionnaires, and self-efficacy/attitudinal assessments.

Main Results:

• 69 participants provided feedback, with an overall course evaluation of 4.70/5.
• High ratings were given for participation (4.07/5) and simulated patients (4.51/5).
• Significant improvements were observed in multiple-choice questionnaire scores and self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The course methods received excellent student evaluations across different settings.
• The program successfully improved students' knowledge and attitudes toward clinical communication.
• A successful multicenter learning strategy for clinical communication was developed through international cooperation.