. Ahmad Reza Zamani; . Narges Motamedi; . Ziba Farajzadegan
Volume 5, Issue 5 , December 2015, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
Background: To have high‑quality primary health care services, an adequate doctor–patientcommunication is necessary. Because of time restrictions and limited budget in health ...
Read More
Background: To have high‑quality primary health care services, an adequate doctor–patientcommunication is necessary. Because of time restrictions and limited budget in health system,an effective, feasible, and continuous training approach is important. The aim of this study isto assess the appropriateness of a communication skills training program simultaneously withroutine programs of health care system. Materials and Methods: It was a randomized fieldtrial in two health network settings during 2013. Twenty‑eight family physicians through simplerandom sampling and 140 patients through convenience sampling participated as interventionand control group. The physicians in the intervention group (n = 14) attended six educationalsessions, simultaneous organization meeting, with case discussion and peer education method.In both the groups, physicians completed communication skills knowledge and attitudequestionnaires, and patients completed patient satisfaction of medical interview questionnaireat baseline, immediately after intervention, and four months postintervention. Physicians andhealth network administrators (stakeholders), completed a set of program evaluation forms.Descriptive statistics and Chi‑square test, t‑test, and repeated measure analysis of variancewere used to analyze the data. Results: Use of routine program as a strategy of training wasrated by stakeholders highly on “feasibility” (80.5%), “acceptability” (93.5%), “educationalcontent and method appropriateness” (80.75%), and “ability to integrating in the healthsystem programs” (approximate 60%). Significant improvements were found in physicians’knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P < 0.001), and patients› satisfaction (P = 0.002) in interventiongroup. Conclusions: Communication skills training program, simultaneous organization meetingwas successfully implemented and well received by stakeholders, without considering extra timeand manpower. Therefore it can be a valuable opportunity toward communication skills training.