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Improvement in the Interpersonal Communication Skills of Dental Students
Author(s) -
Hottel Timothy L.,
Hardigan Patrick C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.2.tb03914.x
Subject(s) - interpersonal communication , interview , psychology , communication skills , nonverbal communication , social skills , medical education , anxiety , interpersonal relationship , skills management , ethnic group , presentation (obstetrics) , clinical psychology , pedagogy , medicine , social psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , sociology , political science , anthropology , law , radiology
This study compared the interpersonal communication skills of seventy‐eight third‐year dental students when interacting with their patients before and after they participated in a thirty‐five‐hour course that addressed recognition of anxiety, interviewing techniques, patient records, behavior management, and patient relations. Students were evaluated before and after attending the course by psychology graduate students who used a behavioral observation form that measured expressive and receptive communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, professional presentation, and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity. At the conclusion of this course, students’ interpersonal skills were rated significantly higher than prior to the course at the p<.0001 level. The outcomes of this study indicate that effective communication between dental students and their patients may be acquired and refined through a course that addresses basic interviewing skills.