Behavioral evaluation of the teaching of communication skills to maternal and child health physicians in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to describe the teaching of communication skills to [MCH] physicians, and to determine whether the teaching was associated with detectable changes in physicians, communication behavior. The results revealed that the trainees overall communication behavior at the end of the course were superior to that the start on several measures, indicating improvements in relating to the patients in a caring, empathic and listening manner. They appeared more likely to provide the circumstances in which the patient would be able to talk freely. They also elicited more information relevant to the problem, Although, the course aim of further developing physicians, interpersonal communication skills was to some extent achieved, there remains a need for considerably more training