RESUMEN
Good communication is the most important thing, it takes a long time to develop and it is difficult to master. The objective of the present study is to assess whether early patient contact [EPC] program had an effect on performance in examination on communication skills. Summary of work: The study sample included 123 first MBBS students of GMU, Ajman during academic years' 2010-118and 2011-12. The students who consented for EPC posting as elective during Communication Skills Course constituted group A and rest of the students constituted Group B. Group A had 50 students and Group B had 73 students. A validated, pilot-tested Van Dalen et al. 'paper-and-pencil test' and OSCE stations were used to evaluate all the students' clinical communication skills. The data was analysed using SPSS 19. Summary of The mean scores for Group A who underwent EPC and Group B who did not undergo EPC were 81.13% and 73.19% in OSCE, 63.02% and 61.31% in paper-and-pencil' test and 67.2 1% and 64.28% in total scores obtained respectively. The difference in mean scores was statistically significant in the case of scores obtained in OSCE [p < 0.01]. All other differences observed were not statistically significant. EPC program helps students to acquire better communication skills as seen by scores obtained in communication skills test especially in the OSCE. Take home message EPC program should be introduced in first year of medical school to improve communication skills of students