Creating multifaceted allied health professionals with skilled hands and the power of words

Allied health professionals (AHPs) are a crucial cog in the wheel of the healthcare industry. AHPs contribute immensely to public health and wellbeing. To create employable AHPs, we must focus on a multi-faceted approach which empowers them not merely with technical expertise, but the ability to articulate themselves clearly. The present study was planned to assess the effectiveness of patient centered communication skill training in improving communication skills in final year undergraduate allied health students using a modified version of The Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist (KEECC). It also aimed to assess the effectiveness of patient centered communication skill training in improving patient satisfaction using a modified version of The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire 18 (PSQ) Short Form.

The present study was an educational study using the pre post study design. The total duration of the study was 6 months. Universal sampling was followed. Hence, all students admitted to various allied health programs in the academic year 2022-23, suitable as per the inclusion criteria were recruited, which resulted in 65 students being enrolled in the study. A communication skills training module was used to train students in patient centered communication. Students were assessed before and after training by faculty and patients using The Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist (KEECC) and The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) Short Form, respectively.

Significant improvement in communication skills and patient satisfaction was found after exposure to the training module as indicated by significant changes in KEECC and PSQ scores, respectively after applying the paired t-test. P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

The present study proves that enhancing patient focused communication of the allied health professionals who are healthcare's work horses with skilled hands, improves patient satisfaction. Policy makers of public health and health science institutions should take cognizance of the fact that, empowering these professionals through a multifaceted approach involving honing their technical acumen, patient centered communication and teamwork would help in creating a workforce which can meet the demands of contemporary healthcare and have a positive impact on public health.