Development Of Competency In Communication Skills In Third Year MBBS Students Based On AETCOM Module: A Pilot Study

Development Of Competency In Communication Skills

Abstract

Background: Good communications skills should be taught and practiced in medical curriculum to increase clinical competence. Objectives: To conduct and analyse Faculty Development Program (FDP) on communication skills and teach basic communication skills undergraduate students using modified AETCOM Module and assess improvement these skills. Material and Methods: An interventional study was carried out for 6months period. Twenty faculties including interns were trained followed by training of sixty 6th semester students during community medicine clinical posting at GMERS Medical College, Dharpur, Patan through consecutive sampling. A modified version of AETCOM (video clips) was used. Assessment was done using Pre-post-test structured SAQs for faculty and Pre-post-test structured SAQs, OSCE (Kalamazoo and SPIKES) and Reflections for students. Feedback was obtained from students, faculty and simulated patients. Statistical Analysis: Microsoft excel, Primer software were used. Paired-t test was used for before and after comparison. Thematic analysis of reflections was done. Results: There was significant improvement in communication skills of students with respect to Structured SAQs (Mean Diff=-30.83, t=18.88, p=0.001, df33); OSCE for basic communication skills (Mean Diff=-3.44, t=6.380, t=6.380, p=0.002, df=33); OSCE for spikes (Mean Diff=-16.18, t=8.190, p=0.001, df=33). A positive feedback was obtained from majority (>80%) of students, faculty and simulated patients. Themes extracted from reflections were based on empathy, respect for doctors, violence, SPIKES, trust and competency. Conclusion: AETCOM module was effective and perceived well by all stakeholders. Its implementation would make a big impact.
[Sharma Parul Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(1):35-40]