Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations

Abstract Background The recognition of the importance of effective communication in the healthcare system has been growing. Given that communication courses must be adjusted to the specificity of a particular culture, language, and other contextual issues, many countries and communities sharing a co...

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Main Authors: Martyna Borowczyk, Agata Stalmach-Przygoda, Antonina Doroszewska, Maria Libura, Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś, Łukasz Małecki, Zbigniew Kowalski, Aldona K. Jankowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-09-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04533-5
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author Martyna Borowczyk
Agata Stalmach-Przygoda
Antonina Doroszewska
Maria Libura
Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś
Łukasz Małecki
Zbigniew Kowalski
Aldona K. Jankowska
author_facet Martyna Borowczyk
Agata Stalmach-Przygoda
Antonina Doroszewska
Maria Libura
Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś
Łukasz Małecki
Zbigniew Kowalski
Aldona K. Jankowska
author_sort Martyna Borowczyk
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The recognition of the importance of effective communication in the healthcare system has been growing. Given that communication courses must be adjusted to the specificity of a particular culture, language, and other contextual issues, many countries and communities sharing a common language have proposed their recommendations for a communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education. To date, no recommendations have been developed for either any Central and Eastern Europe countries or for regions where Slavic languages are spoken. Their specificity of post-communist transformation should be acknowledged. This study aims to review communication curriculums and offer recommendations for medical communication training for undergraduate medical students in Poland. Methods The recommendations were developed through an iterative consultation process with lecturers, faculty members of medical schools, and education coordinators. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify full text English and Polish language articles on communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education. Additionally, the new Regulation of the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, defining educational standards for undergraduate medical education was analysed in search of learning outcomes that could be applied in communication skills teaching. The authors extracted the most relevant communication skill competencies, as determined by the process participants, discussed current challenges, including those of the COVID-19 pandemic era, and indicated best practices. Results A review was conducted, and a set of recommendations was developed pertaining to the scope and methodology of teaching communication skills. The study included: (1) definition, (2) education content, (3) learning outcomes, (4) the recommended teaching methods. The recommendations are in concord with the graduate profile, as well as the current structure of medical studies. The authors listed and discussed the basic communication competencies expected of medical graduates, as well as medical communication course content viewed from different perspectives, including clinical, psychological, sociological, legal, and linguistic. Conclusions Detailed recommendations aimed at integrating best practices into a comprehensive communication curriculum may promote successful teaching, learning, and assessment of medical communication.
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spelling doaj.art-891ebd7a8b3c440a87e341890fd29fc22023-11-26T13:40:28ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202023-09-0123111410.1186/s12909-023-04533-5Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendationsMartyna Borowczyk0Agata Stalmach-Przygoda1Antonina Doroszewska2Maria Libura3Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś4Łukasz Małecki5Zbigniew Kowalski6Aldona K. Jankowska7Department of Medical Simulation, Poznan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Education, Center for Innovative Medical Education, Jagiellonian University Medical College KrakówDepartment of Medical Communication, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Medical Education and Simulation of Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and MazuryInstitute of Polish Language, University of WarsawDepartment of Medical Education, Center for Innovative Medical Education, Jagiellonian University Medical College KrakówKomunikacja z Pacjentem.plLaboratory for Social Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in TorunAbstract Background The recognition of the importance of effective communication in the healthcare system has been growing. Given that communication courses must be adjusted to the specificity of a particular culture, language, and other contextual issues, many countries and communities sharing a common language have proposed their recommendations for a communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education. To date, no recommendations have been developed for either any Central and Eastern Europe countries or for regions where Slavic languages are spoken. Their specificity of post-communist transformation should be acknowledged. This study aims to review communication curriculums and offer recommendations for medical communication training for undergraduate medical students in Poland. Methods The recommendations were developed through an iterative consultation process with lecturers, faculty members of medical schools, and education coordinators. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify full text English and Polish language articles on communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education. Additionally, the new Regulation of the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education, defining educational standards for undergraduate medical education was analysed in search of learning outcomes that could be applied in communication skills teaching. The authors extracted the most relevant communication skill competencies, as determined by the process participants, discussed current challenges, including those of the COVID-19 pandemic era, and indicated best practices. Results A review was conducted, and a set of recommendations was developed pertaining to the scope and methodology of teaching communication skills. The study included: (1) definition, (2) education content, (3) learning outcomes, (4) the recommended teaching methods. The recommendations are in concord with the graduate profile, as well as the current structure of medical studies. The authors listed and discussed the basic communication competencies expected of medical graduates, as well as medical communication course content viewed from different perspectives, including clinical, psychological, sociological, legal, and linguistic. Conclusions Detailed recommendations aimed at integrating best practices into a comprehensive communication curriculum may promote successful teaching, learning, and assessment of medical communication.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04533-5AssessmentClinical communicationCurriculumMedical communicationMedical education
spellingShingle Martyna Borowczyk
Agata Stalmach-Przygoda
Antonina Doroszewska
Maria Libura
Marta Chojnacka-Kuraś
Łukasz Małecki
Zbigniew Kowalski
Aldona K. Jankowska
Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
BMC Medical Education
Assessment
Clinical communication
Curriculum
Medical communication
Medical education
title Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
title_full Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
title_fullStr Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
title_full_unstemmed Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
title_short Developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in Poland – the review and recommendations
title_sort developing an effective and comprehensive communication curriculum for undergraduate medical education in poland the review and recommendations
topic Assessment
Clinical communication
Curriculum
Medical communication
Medical education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04533-5
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