Community based medical education as a driver for enhancing intra-professional communication skills for medical students

However, when we cast our patients out from the domain we know well, into another sphere of medicine, we hope they will follow a smooth and clearly marked path. We do so with a written or verbal communication accompanying them, the contents of which may vary greatly. We hope that this communication will serve as a guide, carry the relevant message to the intended recipient and answer questions for healthcare providers and patients. Breakdown in this communication mechanism can lead to frustration for the patient and for the healthcare provider. It can also increase the potential for patient harm.