Learning of communication skills – What is the attitude of medical interns? - A study from a medical college in north Kerala

Introduction: Good communication skills are an essential attribute of a medical graduate. The need for introducing communication skills in the present medical curriculum has been endorsed by the Medical council of India. Assessment of attitudes of the medical students towards learning communication skills is essential before introducing it as a part of teaching learning process. Objective: To assess the attitude of medical interns towards learning communication skills. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among fresh medical interns before the implementation of a communication skills workshop for them. Attitudes were assessed using the communication skills attitude scale (CSAS). Results: Out of a total of 191 interns 181 participated in the study (response rate 94.7%). Majority (57.5%) were females. The mean positive attitude scale (PAS) score was found to be 53.28 (SD+5.7) and Negative attitude scale (NAS) score 31.2 (SD+ 5.4). Females had a significantly higher mean PAS score when compared to males, while males had a significantly higher mean NAS score when compared to females. Conclusion: Medical interns have a positive attitude towards learning communication skills. Females have a more positive attitude when compared to males. The negative attitudes need to be addressed and males may require more motivation to counter the negative attitudes.