Effectiveness of communication skills training on perceptions and practice of pediatric residents.

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.