Abstract
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical communication skills teaching in undergraduate education
Patient education and counseling, Vol.137(Suppl 1), 109071
08/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109071
Abstract
Background: Public health restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted conventional in-person clinical communication skills teaching in healthcare education. This study investigated the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on conventional methods of clinical communications skills teaching (CCST) and assessment (CCSA) in undergraduate health care education.
Methods: A survey was created to address this aim and, following pilot testing and revisions, the survey was distributed electronically to members of the International Association for Communication in Healthcare between January 2021 and June 2022.
Analysis was conducted using summary and descriptive statistics and, in the case of open questions, thematic analysis.
Findings: Seventy-seven participants from sixty- four academic institutions completed the survey. Prior to the pandemic 14/77 (18%) used online CCST; this rose to 56/77 (77%) during the pandemic, which was predominantly synchronous small group practice with simulated patients. Students, tutors and simulated patients perceived the transition from in-person to online teaching as a positive experience although some expressed less satisfaction and reduced engagement. Challenges included time management and scheduling, increased work load, IT skills and technology, and perceived loss of authentic environment in engaging and developing rapport with students. Regarding CCSA, 17/77 (42%) pivoted to online OSCEs during the pandemic.
Discussion: Covid-19 resulted in an increase in online clinical communication teaching and assessment in undergraduate health care education which posed challenges in its implementation. This study has identified a number of issues that could guide future use and research in online CCST and CCSA.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical communication skills teaching in undergraduate education
- Creators
- A. Papageorgiou - University of NicosiaA.-C. Sterie - University of LausanneY. Finn - Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of GalwayA. Browne - Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of GalwayP. Andreou - University of NicosiaM.E. Rosenbaum - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Patient education and counseling, Vol.137(Suppl 1), 109071
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109071
- ISSN
- 0738-3991
- eISSN
- 1873-5134
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2025
- Academic Unit
- Family and Community Medicine; Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education
- Record Identifier
- 9984927211302771
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