An objective structured clinical examination to assess the communication skills of students

Abstract

Background Communicative competence is one of the important components of professional competence that needs to be developed in the process of training future doctors. Methods At the end of the study of the “General Practice” module, students of the 5th year of the specialty General Medicine must pass a two-stage exam consisting of comprehensive testing and acceptance of practical skills of an objective structured clinical exam (OSKE) with the participation of volunteers. Students, who passed the exam, anonymously filled out the questionnaire on the evaluation of the organization of the OSKE with volunteers and their communication skills. Results The analysis of the questionnaires showed that 4% of the students noted the unfriendliness of the volunteers, 27% wrote that it was difficult to engage with the volunteers in the collection of the anamnesis, 2% of the students, unfortunately, had never before encountered a similar situation. 12% of students who passed the exam wished to improve the communication skills of the volunteers themselves, for example, they advised to speak louder, not to ask unnecessary and unnecessary questions, to get more real in the role of the patient. Only 10% of examinees decided that OSKE did not develop their communication skills; 24% noted individual stations, which caused them some difficulties. However, the students themselves acknowledged their poor preparedness, including during communication with standardized patients. Conclusions The analysis of the questionnaires showed that the students themselves are self-critical of their communication skills and recognize the need for their continuous improvement. Key messages The student’s communicative competence can be assessed by conducting an objective structured clinical examination. Conducting an objective structured clinical examination with volunteers can improve the communicative competence of students.