Medical students experiences of learning communication skills during a family medicine clerkship in Sri Lanka

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The teaching of communication skills to medical students was introduced for the first time in Sri Lanka in 1996, during a clinical attachment in family medicine. Setting: The University Family Medicine Clinic which provides a free primary medical care service to the community. A two week family medicine clerkship for third year students in groups of 15-18. Teaching and Learning METHODS: Small group discussions and learning of communication skills through viewing of educational videos and live consultations on a TV monitor. Students received "hands on experience" in communication skills followed by constructive feedback by the teacher and peers on a video tape replay of student-patient encounters and role plays. METHOD: Qualitative research methodology was used. Students from two groups were requested to write down their experiences of learning communication skills through video tape replay and feedback during the family medicine clerkship. RESULTS: The students` narratives of their learning experiences were analyzed. The themes that emerged were: apprehension at being observed by the teacher and peers during student-patient encounters, anxiety about not remembering to ask relevant questions from the patient, enjoyment of the feeling of real doctoring, developing confidence in consulting skills and learning by watching themselves in action on video tape replay. Excerpts of the feelings expressed by the students under these themes were selected to be presented in this paper. CONCLUSION: The learning of communication skills had been an enjoyable experience for the students who appreciated the learning achieved. They had also undergone personal and professional development in the process.