Abstract :
Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate whether formal communications skills training improves the quality of written informed consent.
The secondary objective was to evaluate the patient satisfaction index.
Methods: Group 1 was subjected to communication for written informed consent by untrained Post-graduate residents. The session evaluated by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
The post graduate residents were then given a communications skills training. Pre-test and post-test were obtained for the educational intervention.
Group 2 was subjected to a communication skills training for the purpose of written informed consent by the same post-graduate residents after communication skills training and evaluated by Objective structured clinical examination.
The data was analyzed by Paired `T` test and Student `T` test.
Result: OSCE data of group 1 was 4.05 as compared to 8.85 of group 2, t = – 15.46 the P value < 0.0001 was highly significant.
Communications skills (group 1) training post-test (9.33) was highly significant with t = -13.61, p < 0.0001.
The patient satisfaction levels showed an increase from (group 1) 7.95 to 9.25 (group 2). The t value = -4.57 and p < 0.0001 was found to be highly significant.
Conclusions: The communications skills training received a very good post test score and confirmed our belief in the use of role-play. The OSCE evaluation of both study groups revealed that the scores were improved significantly in group 2 and that a structured training definitely improved the quality of written informed consent. It also led to an increased patient satisfaction index in our hospital.
Keyword :
Communications skills, Written informed consent, Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), Patient satisfaction index