Ghobad Ramezani; Khadijeh Khoshsokhan; Eshagh Moradi; Kamran Soltani Arabshahi; Davood Rasouli
Abstract
Background: Good physician-patient communication improves health outcomes. However, many medical students lack effective communication skills.Objectives: This study was done to evaluate a virtual education module for teaching communication skills to medical students in Iran.Methods: The pre-test-post-test ...
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Background: Good physician-patient communication improves health outcomes. However, many medical students lack effective communication skills.Objectives: This study was done to evaluate a virtual education module for teaching communication skills to medical students in Iran.Methods: The pre-test-post-test experimental design was conducted with simple random sampling using random number generation software to compare the virtual module of communication skills. Iran University of Medical Sciences students' attitudes were assessed with the Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) and clinical performance was assessed with the Calgary Cambridge checklist. A total of 50 students in each group have completed the course. The virtual module was designed and developed with the steps of the Calgary Cambridge model and was taught using PowerPoint, posters, pamphlets, and podcasts. Independent t-test samples, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were utilized for data analysis using SPSS software.Results: The mean age of participants in the Conventional group was 23.92±3.27, and in the virtual module group was 24.02±3.16. The mean difference in attitude toward communication between the two groups was 25.62±5.45, and performance was 6.23±1.61, which was statistically significant. The statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean attitude and performance of students before and after the virtual module (P<0.05).Conclusion: The virtual module significantly improved students' communication skills, attitude, and performance compared to conventional education. The implementation of virtual education modules can effectively enhance the teaching of communication skills in medical schools. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term impacts on physician-patient communication.
Zohreh Sohrabi; Atefeh Zabihi Zazoly; Somayeh Alizadeh; Azam Norouzi; Ghobad Ramezani; Akram Zhianifard
Abstract
Background: Cultural competence is a core skill for the healthcare team that reputable medical organizations and associations have always emphasized. Its components are essential in reducing health inequalities, increasing patient satisfaction, and improving health outcomes.Objectives: Considering that ...
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Background: Cultural competence is a core skill for the healthcare team that reputable medical organizations and associations have always emphasized. Its components are essential in reducing health inequalities, increasing patient satisfaction, and improving health outcomes.Objectives: Considering that competency improvement will affect other skills and abilities, this study attempted to identify the effect of cultural competence training on the medical residents’ empathy.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 44 medical residents randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental). The participants were from various medical disciplines (internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, pathology, and anesthesia). Cultural Competence was taught to the experimental group in a workshop. Then they were sent short educational messages based on the elements of the cultural competence model of Campinha-Bacote for a month. Data were collected using Jefferson's empathy questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS16.Results: In this study, forty-four residents were randomly divided into two groups of 22 people. There was no significant difference between the scores of participants in the two groups before the cultural competency course (P>0.05). However, there was a substantial difference between the scores of the two groups after the intervention (P<0.05). The empathy score was higher in the intervention group.Conclusion: According to the current study, cultural competence training enhances learners’ empathy in clinical settings. It is recommended to be integrated into educational planning and new revisions of curriculums.
