Can Distance Communication Skills Training Increase the Empathy Levels in Medical Students? An Application During the Pandemic Period

Year 2022, , 775 - 783, 29.09.2022

Sema Ozan , Esin Ergönül , Özlem Miman , Servet Kızıldağ , Gulsah Zeybek , Ayşe Yazıcı , Cemal Hüseyin Güvercin , Meliha Diriöz , İlkay Aksu , Cem Bediz , Songül Bayram Delibaş , Nergiz Durmuş Sütpideler , Balahan Makay

https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1082337

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The aim is to determine the effect of the communication skills training (CST) using interactive synchronous and asynchronous methods, which was applied for the first time on medical students’ empathy levels.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional-analytical, self-controlled intervention.
The distance CST program was applied to first-year medical students. The change in students’ empathy levels was measured with the student version of the Jefferson Empathy Scale.
Results: 241 students’ forms were included. Empathy mean score increased significantly, this increase was higher in women.
Conclusion: The distance CST produced a positive effect on empathy levels. While interactive
PowerPoint® presentations, videos, movie clips, cartoons, real-life examples, written/audio question-
answer activities, surveys, feedback and, small group work were used in live lessons; in the
asynchronous process, student-based techniques (self-assessment, homework, WhatsApp® sharing)
were used to support the online learning climate. We believe that all of them support the cognitive and
social existence of students throughout the training. We propose our program as a model that can be
used during situations where face-to-face education is not possible and to support face-to-face
education in medical education.

Keywords

medical education, distance learning, distance education, communication skills training, empathy

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