Communication Skills in Medical Training: Insights from Clinical Year Students - A Cross-Sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Good communication skills are paramount among the essential abilities for physicians, a sentiment shared by medical students who recognize the significance of effective communication in becoming adept doctors. The cultivation of skills necessitates consistent and devoted learning, driven in part by one's disposition towards learning. Objectives: This cross-sectional study targeted clinical year medical students at Manipal University College Malaysia, aiming to scrutinize their attitudes towards learning communication skills and unearth barriers obstructing such skill development. Additionally, the study sought to evaluate the interplay between demographic factors, academic year, language proficiency, and the attitude towards learning communication skills. Methods: Data collection involved the distribution of online questionnaires via social media, garnering 105 responses, which were subsequently analysed using Epi Info software. Results: Results highlighted a prevailing positive attitude towards learning communication skills among a substantial number of participants, in contrast to those displaying a negative attitude. The study unveiled that age, ethnicity, academic year, and self-rated proficiency in English and Malay language, and communication skills did not exhibit significant correlations with negative attitude. However, gender, nationality, and academic year were notably associated with positive attitudes. Females, Malaysians, and final year medical students exhibited favourable attitudes, emphasizing their integral roles in fostering a constructive learning attitude. Conclusion: Understanding these dynamics can contribute to the refinement of communication skills training programs, fostering a holistic and effective medical education experience.