Comparison of Communication Skills Between Undergraduate Dental Students With and Without Prior Training in Effective Communication

Abstract

Aim: In the present era of relationship-based care, effective communication between practitioners and patients vastly affects treatment planning and ultimately patient satisfaction.This study compared the communication skills of two groups of final year's undergraduate dental students with and without prior training in effective communication. Methodology: Eighty final year student were asked to participate in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups of forty each. One group received training in history taking and effective communication with patients, through a course that spanned across three hours. The remaining forty were not put through the course. Subsequently all the eighty students were asked to examine one patient each and record patient case history. The communication skills of the students were evaluated by the patients in the form of a feedback questionnaire provided to them after the dental examination. Results: The results indicated that students who had received training in communication skills were rated significantly higher than the untrained student in all aspects of communication Conclusion: Proper training improved communication skills significantly among dental students

Evaluation of dental students' clinical communication skills from three perspective approaches: A cross‐sectional study

“…A 360-degree review approach is reported to be superior to other traditional forms of evaluation and feedback as this method is known to initiate a vast positive change and provides a more efficient, thorough and accurate assessment of performance reviews. 8 In comparing all three perspectives, the highest mean score was given by patients while the lowest mean score was documented by the clinical instructor. Interaction between students and patients with short non-medical communication before the start of treatment may have built rapport among them.…”

“…In our study, the stakeholders are patients and the supervisors are the clinical instructor. A 360‐degree review approach is reported to be superior to other traditional forms of evaluation and feedback as this method is known to initiate a vast positive change and provides a more efficient, thorough and accurate assessment of performance reviews 8 …”

“…7 To reach an agreement between dentists and patients regarding the best treatment options will require dynamic communication during dental visits which will later improve the treatment outcomes. 8 Faster recovery has also been reported among patients who experience positive emotions after forming a good dentist-patient relationship. 9 There are many factors that may affect the delivery of information and the effectiveness of communication between clinicians and patients.…”

“…Active participation from patients during the communication process helps to empower them in expressing their psychological needs and emotion 7 . To reach an agreement between dentists and patients regarding the best treatment options will require dynamic communication during dental visits which will later improve the treatment outcomes 8 . Faster recovery has also been reported among patients who experience positive emotions after forming a good dentist‐patient relationship 9…”

Attitudes of dental students in a Canadian university towards communication skills learning

“…CS can be taught through formal course activities or indirectly through modelling and mentorship by their instructors . In the literature, students have been rated as stronger communicators by patients and third party observers following communication skills learning (CSL) experiences. This suggests that optimising the CSL curriculum can support CS of future dentists.…”