Assessing medical students' attitudes towards learning communication skills – which components of attitudes do we measure?
2007

Medical Students' Attitudes Towards Learning Communication Skills

Sample size: 1833 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Anvik Tor, Gude Tore, Grimstad Hilde, Baerheim Anders, Fasmer Ole B, Hjortdahl Per, Holen Are, Risberg Terje, Vaglum Per

Primary Institution: University of Tromsø, University of Oslo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Bergen

Hypothesis

What are the attitudes of Norwegian medical students towards learning communication skills?

Conclusion

The study found that the Communication Skills Attitudes Scale measures broader aspects of attitudes towards learning communication skills than previously thought.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study involved a large sample of 1833 students from four medical schools.
  • Principal component analysis revealed three factors influencing attitudes towards communication skills.
  • Response rates varied by gender, with women responding more than men.

Takeaway

Medical students in Norway have more complex feelings about learning communication skills than just liking or disliking it.

Methodology

The study used a questionnaire sent to all medical students in Norway, with a response rate of 60%.

Potential Biases

Potential cultural differences in responses and the translation process may introduce bias.

Limitations

The response rate was lower than in previous studies, and the factors explaining variance were relatively small.

Participant Demographics

Participants were medical students from four medical schools in Norway.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6920-7-4

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