Hirono Ishikawa1, Masato Eto2, Kiyoshi Kitamura3, Takahiro Kiuchi4. 1. Department of Health Communication, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: hirono-tky@umin.ac.jp. 2. General Education Center, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. 3. General Education Center, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; International Research Center for Medical Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. 4. Department of Health Communication, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationships among physicians' confidence in conducting medical interviews, their attitudes toward the patient-physician relationship, and undergraduate training in communication skills among resident physicians in Japan. METHODS: Participants were 63 first-year resident physicians at a university hospital in Tokyo. The Physician Confidence in the Medical Interview scale (PCMI) was constructed based on the framework of the Calgary-Cambridge Guide. Additionally, participants' attitudes toward the patient-physician relationship (Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale; PPOS), undergraduate experience of communication skills training, and demographic characteristics were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the PCMI and PPOS scales were adequate. As expected from the undergraduate curriculum for medical interviews in Japan, residents had relatively higher confidence in their communication skills with respect to gathering information and building the relationship, whereas less confident about sharing information and planning treatment. The PCMI was associated with a more patient-centered attitude as measured by the PPOS. CONCLUSION: These scales could be useful tools to measure physicians' confidence and attitudes in communicating with patients and to explore their changes through medical education. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Residency programs should consider including systematic training and assessment in communication skills related to sharing information and planning treatment.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationships among physicians' confidence in conducting medical interviews, their attitudes toward the patient-physician relationship, and undergraduate training in communication skills among resident physicians in Japan. METHODS:Participants were 63 first-year resident physicians at a university hospital in Tokyo. The Physician Confidence in the Medical Interview scale (PCMI) was constructed based on the framework of the Calgary-Cambridge Guide. Additionally, participants' attitudes toward the patient-physician relationship (Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale; PPOS), undergraduate experience of communication skills training, and demographic characteristics were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the PCMI and PPOS scales were adequate. As expected from the undergraduate curriculum for medical interviews in Japan, residents had relatively higher confidence in their communication skills with respect to gathering information and building the relationship, whereas less confident about sharing information and planning treatment. The PCMI was associated with a more patient-centered attitude as measured by the PPOS. CONCLUSION: These scales could be useful tools to measure physicians' confidence and attitudes in communicating with patients and to explore their changes through medical education. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Residency programs should consider including systematic training and assessment in communication skills related to sharing information and planning treatment.