RESEARCH ON MEDICAL STUDENTS' VIEWS AND ATTITUDES ABOUT THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS TRAINING

Abstract

Aim: To explore medical students' views for communication skills implementation in medical practice before and after their communication skills training and clinical training. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-three second year medical students in the Medical Faculty of the University of Pleven completed a questionnaire on the importance, training methods and elements of doctor-patient communication in medical practice and two hundred and fifteen fifth-year medical students at the Medical Faculty of the University of Pleven completed the same questionnaire. Results: All participants in the study highly value the importance of communication with the patient for the diagnostic and therapeutic process, for the quality of the doctor-patient relationship, for increasing the self-confidence and satisfaction of the patient. There is no decrease in the assessment of students after clinical training on any of the indicators related to the basic communication skills of the doctor. Many students identify communication skills training as useful for acquiring the skills needed for clinical practice. All students surveyed reported a desire to improve their communication skills, preferring the methods and topics commonly used in this training. Conclusion: Medical students have the right ideas about the importance of good communication with the patient. The gender, nationality and experience of medical students have some influence on the way they perceive and evaluate doctor-patient communication. The comprehensive training in medicine, as well as the short training in communication skills, has a certain positive effect on the assessment of students for their communication skills and dealing with difficult situations in medical practice.