Role of training on counseling skills during Internship- A prototype study on Preoperative counselling skills
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.4189Abstract
Background: Interns frequently exhibit inadequate preoperative counseling skills, adversely impacting patient care and satisfaction. Objective: This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of communication skills between trained and untrained medical interns in preoperative counseling for major elective surgeries. Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted involving 100 interns from the 2024-25 batch at Burdwan Medical College, randomized into Group T (trained, n=50) and Group U (untrained, n=50). Group T received a two-hour training session comprising a one-hour classroom lecture with audiovisual materials and a one-hour group discussion and role-play. Both groups were assessed through Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations involving standardized patients and relatives. Performance was evaluated using a pre-validated five-point scale by independent observers. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and Chi-Square tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Trained interns (Group T) demonstrated significantly superior communication skills compared to untrained interns (Group U). The mean performance score for Group T was 4.06 (SD=0.93) versus 2.78 (SD=1.23) for Group U (p<0.001). Specifically, in addressing key counseling questions, 80% of Group T correctly addressed Q1 compared to 52% of Group U (p=0.003). For Q2, 84% of Group T versus 54% of Group U answered correctly (p=0.001); Q3 saw 78% versus 54% (p=0.011); Q4, 72% versus 48% (p=0.014); and Q5, 92% of Group T compared to 72% of Group U (p=0.009). These findings indicate a substantial enhancement in the ability of trained interns to effectively communicate preoperative information. Conclusion: A concise, two-hour training intervention significantly enhances medical interns' preoperative counseling skills, advocating for its integration into the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.
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