Simulation-Based Teaching Using Standardized Patients for Advanced Communication Skills Among Medical Undergraduates
Abstract
Introduction: Good communicati on skill is the foundati on for the doctorpati ent relati onship. This is even more important when we encounter medical challenges. We conducted a study on undergraduate students and facilitators to record their percepti ons regarding simulati on-based teaching in complex communicati on.
Method: A mixed method study was conducted among the 1st batch of CBME MBBS students presently in Phase III part I, in a Medical College located in coastal Andhra Pradesh. It was conducted during the AETCOM classes in the Department of Community Medicine, among a convenient sample of 119 students. A module was created to develop medical trainees’ competencies in advanced communicati on skills by SBT using standardized pati ents. Feedback was gathered from the students.
Result: The majority (95.8%) of respondents were comfortable with this TL method. The suitability and appropriateness of the case scenarios were agreed upon by 95% of the parti cipants. Suffi ciency of allocated ti me for learning through role plays was agreed upon by 84.88% of the parti cipants and achievement of learning objecti ves was agreed upon by 85.15% of parti cipants. Mock press conferences were found to appeal
more (42%) to the parti cipants. There is an increase in the self-rati ng about knowledge, confi dence, communicati on, team building and empathy demonstrati on aft er the training.
Conclusion: The simulati on-based structured teaching program on ‘advanced communicati on’ using standardized pati ents is acceptable to the two major stakeholders, students (learners) and faculty (teachers). It
is feasible within the given context which is the most commonly prevailing scenario in the teaching medical insti tutions.
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