Doctor-patient communication skills training in mainland China: A systematic review of the literature

作者：Liu, Xinchun; Rohrer, Wesley; Luo, Aijing^*; Fang, Zhou; He, TianHua; Xie, Wenzhao

来源：Patient Education and Counseling, 2015, 98(1): 3-14.

DOI：10.1016/j.pec.2014.09.012

• Doctor-patient communication skills
• Training
• Physician
• Medical student
• China
• Systematic review

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of studies on doctor patient communication skills training (CST) for medical students and physicians in mainland China.
Methods: We retrieved articles from six electronic databases, and searched additional eligible papers by checking reference lists. Chinese or English-language studies focused on CST and implemented in mainland China were applied to the pre-determined criteria. Articles included were further reviewed under the following categories: participant; training strategy; assessment; and outcome.
Results: 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. 90% of the CST improved trainees' communication skills using a strategy which included a didactic component combined with practical rehearsal and feedback. The duration of training varied substantially. A lack of enhancement in empathy, and the use of open-ended questions were reported. 83% of the assessment instruments were self-designed and most lacked reliability and validity testing. Only two of the included studies evaluated patient satisfaction.
Conclusions: The majority of included studies attained statistically significant improvements. Chinese doctors and medical students' communication skills can be enhanced through CST.
Practice implications: Future studies in China should place stronger emphasis on the development of training strategies, validation of the assessment instruments, and evaluation of patient satisfaction affected by CST.

• 出版日期2015-1
• 单位中南大学; 清华大学