Bridging the gap: how is integrating communication skills with medical content throughout the curriculum valued by students?

OBJECTIVE: To describe a program with integrated learning of communication and consultation skills developed with the intention of preventing deterioration of communication skills, and to present student evaluation data. METHODS: Description and evaluation of the program through: (1) monthly student evaluations; (2) questionnaire on student perceptions about the integrated curriculum; (3) a questionnaire about the value of one specific integrated training preceding the pediatric clerkship. RESULTS: Key components of training throughout years 3-6 are reinforcement throughout the clinical years, adapting communication training to the clinical context of clerkships using a sandwich model with cycles of preparation, clerkship, and reflection. EVALUATION: response rates were 69%, 93% and 93%, respectively. Students value practicing integration of communication and medical content with SPs who represent the population of their next clerkships. They appreciate the multisource feedback during the training, feedback by clerkship specific specialists and SPs is valued most. CONCLUSIONS: This description shows an example of an integrated curriculum that helps students to feel well prepared for their communication tasks in subsequent clerkships. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Designing and implementing communication curricula to address the issue of integration is feasible. The effects of such integrated programs should be subject to future studies.