Confidence and use of communication skills in medical students

Well-designed interventions can improve the communication skills of physicians. Since the understanding of the current situation is essential for designing effective interventions, this study was performed to determine medical interns' confidence and use of communication skills. This descriptive-analytical study was performed in spring 2013 within 3 branches of Islamic Azad University [Tehran, Mashhad, and Yazd], on 327 randomly selected interns. Data gathering instrument was a questionnaire with 14 items for confidence and 17 items for use of communication skills. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics as well as Spearman and Mann- Whitney U tests. Students' confidence and use of communication skills was evaluated moderate. There was a significant positive correlation between students' confidence and use of communication skills [r=0.42, p=0.001]. Male students reported higher scores for confidence and use of communication skills compared to female, but this was not significant [p=0.055 and p=0.292, respectively]. Considering significant correlation between confidence and use of communication skills, designing educational interventions is recommended for development of confidence and resulting use of communication skills in medical students

Study of knowledge and attitude of private general physicians of Karaj city regarding national TB programs - 2002

At the present time among various infectious diseases, tuberculosis is considered as one of the leading causes of death in adult population. These death rates are even higher than those caused by AIDS and Malaria. The diagnostic and therapeutic failure of the physicians results in the emergence of Multi-Drug Resistance [MDR]. On the other hand, the best approach for controlling this situation is by implementing Directly Observed Treatment Short Course [DOTS] strategy. The requisite for reaching DOTS aims and objectives is through the cooperation and participation of all sections that are involved in offering health and medical services including private physicians. This cooperation requires the physicians to have satisfactory knowledge and assenting attitude towards these programs. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the level of knowledge and attitude of private general physicians, in regard to the National TB Programs [based on DOTS strategy]. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 340 general physicians working in the private sector of Karaj city. The cases were chosen by random sampling method. Also 66% of the physicians believed that TB is still recognized as a major health problem and issue worldwide. More than 75% of them have considered TB a serious threat to Iran. Only 1.8% of the general physicians had satisfactory level of knowledge. Meanwhile, 89.1% of them had a positive attitude towards National TB programs. Only 27.1% of physicians knew the most important symptom of pulmonary TB and about 43% recalled the short course of four-drug treatment. Majority of the general physicians had a positive attitude towards the National TB Program. But only few percent had satisfactory level of knowledge in this regard