Teaching communication skills with the help of actresses and video-tape simulation.

Abstract

A regular course in communication has been provided for medical students. One aim has been to encourage thought, discussion, and better understanding of doctor-patient relationships and communication problems within medicine. Over a 2-year period the most satisfactory method has proved to be video-tape recording of simulated interview situations with professional actors. The details of this method are presented and compared with other methods. The course The medical students are in their penultimate year of clinical study, and receive the course during a 2-month paediatric attachment. Therefore the course is repeated six times a year. The weekly session is directed by a paediatrician who also teaches other aspects of child health and disease to the same students. The students form a group of between 10 and 14.