Evaluation of training medical students in patient-interviewing skills by three modes of learning

Teaching interpersonal and communication skills to practice history taking is a part of a course on Foundation to Clinical Approach provided for third year medical students. They were trained in three modes: performing with SP, with peers and with groups. This study was conducted to assess the effect of training by three methods. Analysis of the assessment forms by tutors and students indicated that all behaviour and all methods were significantly different at 0.001 and 0.003 and the highest score was found performing with SP. The behaviours which they performed were different among sections and the best performance was patient interview related to history taking and chief complaints. The students should improve their skills in beginning and ending the interview, asking open questions, clarifying the patient's understanding, increasing awareness of perceptions on patients especially the psychosocial aspects and feelings of patients. From the questionnaire, the tutors and students thought that this program was useful and every student should have a chance to practice with the extended time for a second performance after feedback or more than one rehearsal.