Aim: This study aimed at addressing those areas of weaknesses in communication with patients and evaluating the effect of training on the student's communication skills.
Materials and methods: The design of the study was a randomized controlled trial with an objective to know the effect of communication skills course on dental undergraduates. The participants were divided randomly into experimental and control group. Comparison of posttest scores was done in control and experimental group after following interventions like elaboration of effective clinician/doctor–patient communication, dimensions of patient satisfaction and fundamental techniques, roleplay for two scenarios by group representatives with simulated patient (intern). Application of the learned skills of communication in real-life case scenarios, etc.
Statistical analysis used: The normality was assessed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Mean value was compared using t-test.
Results: Mean score for the pretest and posttest was 1.009 ± 0.356 and 1.019 ± 0.343, respectively in the control group. Mean score for the preintervention test and postintervention test was 1.086 ± 0.356 and 1.387 ± 0.468, respectively. The difference between the pre- and posttest correct mean score was statistically highly significant with the p value ≤ 0.001. The mean score for the postintervention group was 1.387 ± 0.468, and the mean score for the control group was 1.019 ± 0.343. The difference between the two groups were statistically significant with the p value ≤ 0.05.
Conclusion: The outcomes of this study showed that the course was effective enough in the improvement of the communication skills of dental students.
Clinical significance: Communication skills training must be emphasized and must be included as a part of the BDS curriculum as it is directly related to the success of the treatment.
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Memarpour M, Bazrafkan L, Zarei Z. Assessment of dental students’ communication skills with patients. J Adv Med Educ Prof 2016;4(1):33–38.
