The role of simulation in medical communication in the time of the lockdown
Abstract
The physician’s language activity in the process of healing manifests in informing and
educating the patient, and in communicating attitudes including empathy and trust. In the
present situation, it seems certain that a significant portion of the medical communication may
shift to phone or online. Relying on the present online training, we wish to identify the factors
that can be most improved through simulation. Education and training at University of Pécs
Medical School continued on-line. Students could participate in simulation exercises one by
one supported by a communication specialist, a physician and a medical actor-patient. The task
in each case was to solve a situation typical during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. The
exercises and the students’ feedbacks were recorded, evaluated and compared with experiences
of the on-site training. The students found the on-line exercises excellent. In the opinion of the
participating physicians 90 percent of the students coped with the new situations. In terms of
language use, the students’ performance was similar to that in the on-site education. Based on
the students’ feedback and the recordings we can conclude that the simulation exercises were
successful in the online format, they could ensure the development of students’ communicative
competences.
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