An investigation into the teaching of communication skills in undergraduate osteopathic education in the U.K.
Item
- Title
- An investigation into the teaching of communication skills in undergraduate osteopathic education in the U.K.
- Author(s)
- Doran, S
- Abstract
- Introduction: Osteopathy relies on verbal and non verbal communication between patients, practitioners and other health care providers.. This is reflected in the inclusion of communication as a core competency in GOsC policy documents. The aims of this study are:o To establish what is being taught and how this teaching is being delivered with regards to clinical communication/communication skills within osteopathic institutions in the United Kingdom.o To compare what is taught within osteopathic institutions with evidence from the medical and allied health professional fields o To report educators' views on this area. Method: A questionnaire previously used in a similar study investigating physiotherapy undergraduate programmes was obtained. The questionnaire was then sent out to the Programme Leader of nine osteopathic undergraduate programmes which lead to a BSc or Most in the U.K. Non respondents were contacted after 3 weeks via email and again via email and telephone. The data were gathered and analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: Three out of nine institutions responded (33%). Two out of the three schools reported modules with a considerable emphasis on communication skills. These were delivered from the 2nd to the 4th year mainly when students had some clinical experience. Modules reported were clinically based. No module reported teaching theoretical aspects of communication. Teaching methods favoured included small group discussion facilitated by the lecturer, patient interaction, role play, one to one interaction with clinic tutor. Four themes were identified relating to the teaching of communication skills. These included:* Unstructured delivery of communication skills teaching* Vague communication skills content * Communication skills teaching as preparation for practice life * Challenges in communication skills teaching Discussion:Systemic reviews evaluating communication skills teaching were critically appraised. Results were discussed with regard to previous research in the medical and allied health professional field. It was advised that specific communication skills training be given to clinic tutors and a theoretical component implemented in undergraduate programrnes reported. Recommendations for further research were made. Conclusion:_Communication skills teaching are broadly in line with recommendations from the medical and paramedical fields. However a poor response rate prevented the author from generalising the findings to institutions across the country
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2011
- Date Submitted
- 22.1.2013 16:23:35
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15265
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Osteopathic education; Communication skills.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Doran, S, “An investigation into the teaching of communication skills in undergraduate osteopathic education in the U.K.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/800