Shaping Future Doctors: Impact of Communication Skills Training on Medical Students’ Self-Perception

Background: Effective communication skills are crucial for medical professionals, enhancing patient care, teamwork, and clinical outcomes. However, medical students often prioritize technical knowledge over communication training. This study assessed changes in medical students' self-perception of communication skills' importance following an educational intervention. Methods: A cohort of second year MBBS students in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India were subjected to 12 weeks of communication skills training. Their self-perceptions regarding importance of learning communication skills were evaluated using a validated questionnaire before and after the intervention. Various statements assessed their attitudes towards learning communication skills, their relevance in medical practice, and personal engagement, with responses recorded on a Likert scale. Statistical analysis identified significant changes in perception. Results: Post-intervention, students showed significant improvements in their perception of communication skills. Statistically significant positive changes were observed in recognizing the relevance of communication training, respect for patients and colleagues, and understanding patient rights regarding confidentiality and informed consent. Notably, students exhibited a greater appreciation for communication as an essential component of medical practice. However, some skepticism remained regarding the necessity of communication training, with a subset of students perceiving it as secondary to clinical knowledge. Conclusion: Structured communication skills training positively impacts medical students' self-perception, reinforcing its value in medical education. Finding more ways to integrate such training into medical curriculum can ensure future doctors are both clinically competent and effective communicators.