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An evaluation of medical student behaviours in communication

An evaluation of fourth‐year medical student behaviours in communication with real patients in general practice is reported using two different formats of rating scale. The study was performed in the clinical base of the Department of General Practice, the Queen's University, Dunluce Health Centre, Belfast. In all, 475 interviews were rated, 238 being first interviews and 237 second interviews. The format of the rating scale was not found to be a significant variable. Factor analysis of the rating scale item scores produced five factors, which fell into two clear groupings. Factors 2 and 4 represent communication skills, which could have been acquired through normal social learning. Factors 1, 3 and 5 constitute more technical and professional skills not usually employed in normal social intercourse. Analysis of data from first and subsequent interviews indicates that the students in the study had acquired professional skills, which require special teaching. These are identified in Factors 1, 3 and 5 and require a proper emphasis in training.