Can an online clinical communication course impact learner behaviour?

Background: Effective communication between doctors and patients leads to better compliance, health outcomes and higher doctor and patient satisfaction. Although in-person communication skills training programs are effective, they require high resource utilisation and may provide variable learner experiences due to challenges in standardisation. Objective: This study aimed to develop and implement an evidence-based, self-directed and interactive online communication skills training course to determine if the course would improve learner application of communication skills in real clinical encounters. Methods: The course design utilised the Kalamazoo Consensus framework and included videos based on common paediatric clinical scenarios. Final year medical students in academic year 2017/2018 undergoing a two-week paediatric clerkship were divided into two groups. Both groups received standard clerkship educational experiences, but only the intervention group (88 out of 146 total students) was enrolled into the course. Caregiver/patient feedback based on students’ clinical communication was obtained, together with pre- and post-video scenario self-reported confidence levels and course feedback. Results: There were minimal differences in patient feedback between intervention and control groups, but the control group was more likely to confirm caregivers’/patients’ agreement with management plans and provide a summary. However, caregivers/patients tended to feel more comfortable with the intervention compared to the control group. Median confidence levels increased post-video scenarios and learners reported gains in knowledge, attitudes and skills in paediatric-specific communication. Conclusion: Although online video-based communication courses are useful standardisation teaching tools, complementation with on-the-job training is essential for learners to demonstrate effective communication.