Communication skills learning during medical studies in Poland: opinions of final-year medical students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasing emphasis on the medical curriculum, students’ empathy and communication skills decline with time. As students’ attitudes and experiences may influence the effectiveness of communication training and their future communication style, this study aimed to evaluate the opinions of last-year medical students on communication skills learning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following the fully mixed concurrent equal status design methodology, we invited sixth-year medical students of our university to fill a paper questionnaire with closed and open questions on their perspectives on communication skills learning. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by a representative sample of 166 students. The majority of them recognized the importance and benefits of communication training, and the need to increase its significance in the medical curriculum. They noticed that students with low communication skills lack motivation for improvement. Students also underlined the significance of the hidden curriculum, reporting a contrast between communication classes and the behavior of some physicians. Moreover, students less positively inclined towards communication training doubted its effectiveness and importance, suggesting that it should be offered for volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: In order to meet the expectations of students with positive opinions and overcome the lack of motivation or engagement of negatively inclined students, more emphasis should be placed on communication training. Changes in communication training should include increasing its practical character and intensity, emphasizing its importance and benefits, and paying more attention to hidden curriculum aspects. Revisions to the medical school application system should be considered to underline the importance of interpersonal competencies already at the admission stage.