An Impact of Patient-physician Communication Curriculum on Students of Korean Medical School

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of patient-physician communication curriculum on students of Korean medical school in terms of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor level of communication skills. Methods: A communication curriculum was developed considering COVID-19 pandemic situation. Lectures, peer role-play, open interview with standardized patient (SP), discussion and feedback were conducted by online, and face-to-face 1:1 SP-interview was performed. Scores of written test, peer role-play of medical communication, SP-interview, self-evaluation on one’s interview with real patients in clinical clerkship, and questionnaire of importance were collected and analyzed. Results: Converted to 100 point scale, the mean score of written test (cognitive level) was 91.2 while that of importance questionnaire (affective level) was 77.5. The mean scores of psychomotor level were 72.5, 77.5, and 62.5 for peer role-play, SP-interview, and real patient interview in clerkship, respectively. Conclusions: Students’ performance is lower in higher level of competence. Curriculums should provide more opportunities of practices to students, and include evaluation focusing on performance skills.