Efficacy of Communication Skills Training of Preclinical Medical Students via Health Literacy Teaching of High School Students: A Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2021.69Keywords:
Preclinical communication skills training (CST), early clinical exposure, health literacy, health educator, transformative learningAbstract
Objective: Communication Skills via Health Literacy (CSvHL) was a pilot elective communication skills training (CST) course, which allowed preclinical medical students to gain communication competence through the experience of being a health educator for high school students (HSSs). The efficacy of CSvHL was explored.
Materials and Methods: All 10 medical students were prepared for their HSS-health-educator roles by participating in several observation sessions at an outpatient department and via communication workshops. In-field health education courses were subsequently delivered to HSSs by the medical students. Developments of the medical students’ communication skills were fostered through loops of learning activities and regular feedbacks. Assessments of the pre- and post-CSvHL communication skill levels by means of an OSCE, with adapted ComON Check were evaluated by each medical student, a standardized patient, and three medical instructors.
Results: In general, the overall and category-specific average ComON Check scores of the whole class were significantly improved after the CSvHL course. The 3 communication defects with the lowest scores in the pre-CSvHL assessments were subsection division, summarization, and comprehension-check while counseling.
Conclusion: CSvHL was successfully established as a preclinical-year CST course. The improvements in the ComON Check scores reflected the transformative learning gained from the hands-on experience, individualized CST, and 360° feedback OSCE for communication skill assessment.
References
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38. Roshal JA, Chefitz D, Terregino CA, Petrova A. Comparison of self and simulated patient assessments of first-year medical students’ Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS) during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). BMC Med Educ. 2021 Feb 17;21(1):107.
39. Geoffroy PA, Delyon J, Strullu M, Dinh AT, Duboc H, Zafrani L, et al. Standardized Patients or Conventional Lecture for Teaching Communication Skills to Undergraduate Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Study. Psychiatry Investig. 2020 Apr 15;17(4):299-305.
40. Bloom-Feshbach K, Casey D, Schulson L, Gliatto P, Giftos J, Karani R. Health Literacy in Transitions of Care: An Innovative Objective Structured Clinical Examination for Fourth-Year Medical Students in an Internship Preparation Course. J Gen Intern Med. 2016 Feb;31(2):242-6.
41. Herchenröther J, Tiedemann E, Vogel H, Simmenroth A. Which teaching method is more effective in a communication course - role-playing versus simulated patients, taught by tutors or faculty staff? A randomized trial. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(3):Doc54.
42. Pless A, Hari R, Brem B, Woermamm U, Schnabel KP. Using self and peer video annotations of simulated patient encounters in communication training to facilitate the reflection of communication skills: an implementation study. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(3):Doc55.
43. Agago TA, Wonde SG, Bramo SS, Asaminew T. Simulated Patient-Based Communication Skills Training for Undergraduate Medical Students at a University in Ethiopia. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2021;12:713-21.
44. Mlika M, Ben Amor A, Mezni F. Improving the communicational skills in medicine using role play: a study about 28 students in the second cycle of medical studies. Tunis Med. 2021 Feb;99(2):201-6.
45. Przymuszała P, Marciniak-Stępak P, Cerbin-Koczorowska M, Borowczyk M, Cieślak K, Szlanga L, et al. ’Difficult Conversations with Patients’-A Modified Group Objective Structured Clinical Experience for Medical Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 27;18(11):5772.
2. Zimmermann A, Baerwald C, Fuchs M, Girbardt C, Götze H, Hempel G, et al. The Longitudinal Communication Curriculum at Leipzig University, Medical Faculty - implementation and first experiences. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(3):Doc58.
3. Gebhardt C, Mehnert-Theuerkauf A, Hartung T, Zimmermann A, Glaesmer H, Götze H. COMSKIL: a communication skills training program for medical students. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(4):Doc83.
4. Shiraly R, Mahdaviazad H, Pakdin A. Doctor-patient communication skills: a survey on knowledge and practice of Iranian family physicians. BMC Fam Pract. 2021 Jun 24;22(1):130.
5. Junod P, Sommer J, Louis-Simonet M, Nendaz M. Teaching communication skills: beyond wishful thinking. Swiss Med Wkly [Internet]. 2015 Feb 9 [cited 2021 Jul 3]; Available from: http://doi.emh.ch/smw.2015.14064
6. Rosenbaum ME. Dis-integration of communication in healthcare education: Workplace learning challenges and opportunities. Patient Educ Couns. 2017 Nov;100(11):2054–61.
7. Yedidia MJ. Effect of Communications Training on Medical Student Performance. JAMA. 2003 Sep 3;290(9):1157.
8. Joe Grizella Runtu FM, Ardhia SH, Lokeswara AW, Friska D. Shaping effective communication skills in first-year medical students through community diagnosis exercise. JPMA J Pak Med Assoc. 2021 Feb;71(Suppl 2)(2):S37-41.
9. Jacobs NN, Calvo L, Dieringer A, Hall A, Danko R. Motivational Interviewing Training: A Case-Based Curriculum for Preclinical Medical Students. MedEdPORTAL J Teach Learn Resour. 2021 Feb 12;17:11104.
10. Nutbeam D. Defining, measuring and improving health literacy. Health Eval Promot. 2015;42(4):450-6.
11. Ancker JS, Grossman LV, Benda NC. Health Literacy 2030: Is It Time to Redefine the Term? J Gen Intern Med. 2020 Aug;35(8):2427-30.
12. Santana S, Brach C, Harris L, Ochiai E, Blakey C, Bevington F, et al. Updating Health Literacy for Healthy People 2030: Defining Its Importance for a New Decade in Public Health. J Public Health Manag Pract JPHMP. 2021 Mar 12;
13. Hess J, Whelan JS. Making health literacy real: adult literacy and medical students teach each other. J Med Libr Assoc JMLA. 2009 Jul;97(3):221-4.
14. Milford E, Morrison K, Teutsch C, Nelson BB, Herman A, King M, et al. Out of the classroom and into the community: medical students consolidate learning about health literacy through collaboration with Head Start. BMC Med Educ. 2016 Dec;16(1):121.
15. Vijn TW, Fluit CRMG, Kremer JAM, Beune T, Faber MJ, Wollersheim H. Involving Medical Students in Providing Patient Education for Real Patients: A Scoping Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2017 Sep;32(9):1031-43.
16. Hamso M, Ramsdell A, Balmer D, Boquin C. Medical students as teachers at CoSMO, Columbia University’s student-run clinic: A pilot study and literature review. Med Teach. 2012 Mar;34(3):e189-97.
17. Amorosa JMH, Mellman LA, Graham MJ. Medical students as teachers: How preclinical teaching opportunities can create an early awareness of the role of physician as teacher. Med Teach. 2011 Feb;33(2):137-44.
18. Dandavino M, Snell L, Wiseman J. Why medical students should learn how to teach. Med Teach. 2007 Jan;29(6):558-65.
19. Spengler E, Schechter M, Pina P, Rhim HJH. You Can Teach Every Patient: A Health Literacy and Clear Communication Curriculum for Pediatric Clerkship Students. MedEdPORTAL J Teach Learn Resour. 2021 Jan 22;17:11086.
20. Tayade MC, Latti RG. Effectiveness of early clinical exposure in medical education: Settings and scientific theories - Review. J Educ Health Promot. 2021;10:117.
21. Smith C, Goss HR, Issartel J, Belton S. Health Literacy in Schools? A Systematic Review of Health-Related Interventions Aimed at Disadvantaged Adolescents. Child Basel Switz. 2021 Feb 25;8(3):176.
22. Chrissini MK, Panagiotakos DB. Health literacy as a determinant of childhood and adult obesity: a systematic review. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2021 Feb 12;33(3):9-39.
23. Guo S, Yu X, Davis E, Armstrong R, Naccarella L. Health Literacy: An Interactive Outcome Among Secondary Students in Beijing. Health Lit Res Pract. 2021 Jan 11;5(1):e1-14.
24. Jafari A, Tavakoly Sany SB, Peyman N. The Status of Health Literacy in Students Aged 6 to 18 Old Years: A Systematic Review Study. Iran J Public Health. 2021 Mar;50(3):448-58.
25. Ayaz-Alkaya S, Kulakçı-Altıntaş H. Nutrition-Exercise Behaviors, Health Literacy Level, and Related Factors in Adolescents in Turkey. J Sch Health. 2021 Jun 22. doi: 10.1111/josh.13057. Online ahead of print.
26. Mao Y, Xie T, Zhang N. Chinese Students’ Health Literacy Level and Its Associated Factors: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 29;18(1):E204.
27. Macleod D, Wass V, Laird S, McKeown J. GP lead medical student visits to primary schools can provide a valuable learning experience for both students and pupils. Educ Prim Care Off Publ Assoc Course Organ Natl Assoc GP Tutors World Organ Fam Dr. 2021 Apr 23;1-5.
28. Wong VSS, Naguwa GS. The School Health Education Program (SHEP): medical students as health educators. Hawaii Med J. 2010 Mar;69(3):60-64.
29. Radziej K, Loechner J, Engerer C, Niglio de Figueiredo M, Freund J, Sattel H, et al. How to assess communication skills? Development of the rating scale ComOn Check: Evaluation of communication skills. Med Educ Online. 2017 Jan;22(1):1392823.
30. Stubenrauch S, Schneid E-M, Wünsch A, Helmes A, Bertz H, Fritzsche K, et al. Development and evaluation of a checklist assessing communication skills of oncologists: the COM-ON-Checklist: The COM-ON-Checklist. J Eval Clin Pract. 2012 Apr;18(2):225-30.
31. Niglio de Figueiredo M, Krippeit L, Freund J, Ihorst G, Joos A, Bengel J, et al. Assessing Communication Skills in Real Medical Encounters in Oncology: Development and Validation of the ComOn-Coaching Rating Scales. J Cancer Educ. 2019 Feb;34(1):73-81.
32. Saxena A. Transformative learning: premise, promise and challenges. Med Educ. 2019 Jun;53(6):534-6.
33. Van Schalkwyk SC, Hafler J, Brewer TF, Maley MA, Margolis C, McNamee L, et al. Transformative learning as pedagogy for the health professions: a scoping review. Med Educ. 2019 Jun;53(6):547-58.
34. Engerer C, Berberat PO, Dinkel A, Rudolph B, Sattel H, Wuensch A. Integrating 360° behavior-orientated feedback in communication skills training for medical undergraduates: concept, acceptance and students’ self-ratings of communication competence. BMC Med Educ. 2016 Dec;16(1):271.
35. Talwalkar JS, Fortin AH, Morrison LJ, Kliger A, Rosenthal DI, Murtha T, et al. An Advanced Communication Skills Workshop Using Standardized Patients for Senior Medical Students. MedEdPORTAL J Teach Learn Resour. 2021 May 27;17:11163.
36. Engerer C, Berberat PO, Dinkel A, Rudolph B, Sattel H, Wuensch A. Specific feedback makes medical students better communicators. BMC Med Educ. 2019 Dec;19(1):51.
37. Niglio de Figueiredo M, Krippeit L, Ihorst G, Sattel H, Bylund CL, Joos A, et al. ComOn-Coaching: The effect of a varied number of coaching sessions on transfer into clinical practice following communication skills training in oncology: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Gilligan C, editor. PLOS ONE. 2018 Oct 5;13(10):e0205315.
38. Roshal JA, Chefitz D, Terregino CA, Petrova A. Comparison of self and simulated patient assessments of first-year medical students’ Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS) during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). BMC Med Educ. 2021 Feb 17;21(1):107.
39. Geoffroy PA, Delyon J, Strullu M, Dinh AT, Duboc H, Zafrani L, et al. Standardized Patients or Conventional Lecture for Teaching Communication Skills to Undergraduate Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Study. Psychiatry Investig. 2020 Apr 15;17(4):299-305.
40. Bloom-Feshbach K, Casey D, Schulson L, Gliatto P, Giftos J, Karani R. Health Literacy in Transitions of Care: An Innovative Objective Structured Clinical Examination for Fourth-Year Medical Students in an Internship Preparation Course. J Gen Intern Med. 2016 Feb;31(2):242-6.
41. Herchenröther J, Tiedemann E, Vogel H, Simmenroth A. Which teaching method is more effective in a communication course - role-playing versus simulated patients, taught by tutors or faculty staff? A randomized trial. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(3):Doc54.
42. Pless A, Hari R, Brem B, Woermamm U, Schnabel KP. Using self and peer video annotations of simulated patient encounters in communication training to facilitate the reflection of communication skills: an implementation study. GMS J Med Educ. 2021;38(3):Doc55.
43. Agago TA, Wonde SG, Bramo SS, Asaminew T. Simulated Patient-Based Communication Skills Training for Undergraduate Medical Students at a University in Ethiopia. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2021;12:713-21.
44. Mlika M, Ben Amor A, Mezni F. Improving the communicational skills in medicine using role play: a study about 28 students in the second cycle of medical studies. Tunis Med. 2021 Feb;99(2):201-6.
45. Przymuszała P, Marciniak-Stępak P, Cerbin-Koczorowska M, Borowczyk M, Cieślak K, Szlanga L, et al. ’Difficult Conversations with Patients’-A Modified Group Objective Structured Clinical Experience for Medical Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 27;18(11):5772.
Published
01-08-2021
How to Cite
Prasartseree, T. ., Dankulchai, P. ., Dangprapai, Y. ., & Jiranantakan, T. . (2021). Efficacy of Communication Skills Training of Preclinical Medical Students via Health Literacy Teaching of High School Students: A Pilot Study. Siriraj Medical Journal, 73(8), 532–540. https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2021.69
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