IMPROVING COMMUNICATION-SKILLS - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED BEHAVIORALLYORIENTED INTERVENTION STUDY FOR RESIDENTS IN INTERNAL-MEDICINE

Objective: We investigated whether patient-centered communication skil ls can be taught to residents in Internal Medicine by using a time-lim ited behaviorally oriented intervention. Method: Residents working at the Department of Internal Medicine were randomly assigned to an inter vention group (IG; N = 19) or a control group (CG; N = 23). In additio n to 6 hours of standard medical education per week, the IG received s pecific communication training of 22.5 hours duration within a 6-month period. Initially and 10 months later, participants performed intervi ews with simulated patients. Interviews were rated by blinded raters w ho used the Maastricht History and Advice Checklist-Revised. Results: Compared with the CG, the IG improved substantially in many specific c ommunication skills. Both groups improved in the ''amount of medical i nformation identified'' and in the ability to ''communicate about feas ibility of treatment.'' Conclusion: Patient-centered communication ski lls such as those presented in this intervention study can be taught. The ability to gain medical information and the readiness to communica te about aspects of medical treatment seem to improve with more profes sional experience; however, they also profit from the intervention.