> While I agree with the comments that introducing the new
> elements mentioned
> at the *expense* of more traditional components of a medical
> degree is a
> bad idea, I do think that incorporating them alongside the existing
> training in anatomy, physiology, etc is beneficial.
The medical degree is tight for time. More so now than ever now that
critical appraisal is considered an essential skill for all doctors.
Introduce new elements and something's got to give. The weakness of
communication skills training is that it doesn't seem to produce better
communicators. Much of the problem with communication is lack of time. Lack
of basic science knowledge makes it harder to consider, assimilate and
request information from the patient and can only exacerbate this.
If you have only 5 minutes to talk to a patient (which is about par,
allowing the time for essential examination, procedures and clerical work)
there is a limit to how your communication skills can shine. The problem is
not lack of training but lack of support staff.
Matt Dunn
Warwick
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