Abstract
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of a structured communication skills training workshop on the perceptions and practice of pediatric residents.
Methods
The perceptions and practice of pediatric residents with regard to doctor- patient (parent) communication were evaluated before and 6 weeks after a communication skills training workshop, using a structured questionnaire.
Results
Twenty pediatric residents participated in the study. They included nine residents who had completed 1 year of pediatric training and 11 residents who had completed 2 years or more of pediatric training. 9 were female residents and 11 were males. Before the intervention, majority of the residents rated themselves poorly on assessment of their perceptions and practice of communication skills. After the workshop there was overall improvement in the communication skills of the residents.
Conclusions
Communication skills of pediatric residents are generally inadequate. Structured training programs will help to improve their communication skills. There is a need to incorporate communication skills training in the pediatric postgraduate curriculum.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the help of Dr. Mohankumar, Associate professor of Pediatrics, Medical College, Calicut, Mr. Jose Pulimoottil, Mrs Meena and Mr. Muhammed Saif who helped in conducting the communication skills training workshop. They thank Dr. Biju George, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, Calicut for helping with statistical analysis.
Contributions
MGG designed the study, did the literature review and collected the data. KCR conducted the workshop. PK analysed the data and wrote the initial draft of the paper. TPA and AR helped in organising the workshop. KSK helped in study design and collection of data.
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Geeta, M.G., Krishnakumar, P., Rajasree, K.C. et al. Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training on Perceptions and Practice of Pediatric Residents. Indian J Pediatr 78, 979–982 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0316-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0316-6