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Abstract
Background: Communication skills are an
essential in any field of life, but it is especially an
essential skill to master in medical undergraduates.
Objective: To assess the attitude of undergraduate
medical students towards learning communication
skills and to co-relate their attitude with gender and
year of education.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study
was carried out to assess the attitude of students
studying in Rawalpindi Medical University towards
learning communication skills. A total 278 students
from 3rd, 4th, 5th year participated in this study.
Written informed consent was taken.
Communication Skill Attitude Scale (CSAS) was
used as an assessment tool. Approval from ethical
review board and institute research forum (IRF) was
obtained. Data was entered and analysed by SPSS v.
22.
Results: 80.1% participants were female while
19.1% were male. Number of students from 3rd, 4th,
5th year were 70(25.2%), 86(30.9%) and 122(43.9%)
respectively. Results of the study revealed a
relatively positive attitude towards learning
communication skills among undergraduate medical
students. There is no significant difference in
attitude of male and female students towards
learning communication skills. Also, there is no
significant difference in attitude of 3rd, 4th, 5th year
students.
Conclusion: Positive communication skill learning
attitude was observed among undergraduate medical
students of Rawalpindi Medical University.
Consequently, this positive attitude among students
promises the success of communication skill
programs if introduced.
Key Words: Attitude, Medical Students,
Communication Skills