Perception of Final Year Medical Students of the Value of An Innovative Audiovisual Production on Communicating with Psychologically Distressed Patients

Abstract

Background : Psychological distress is common in primary care. Primary care physicians tend to miss around 50% of patients with mental health issues. Proper communication with psychologically distressed patients (PDP) decreases morbidity and mortality. The aim of this paper is to examine the acceptability of medical students to an audiovisual package on communicating with the PDP. Methods : The department of Family Medicine at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) developed two scenarios to train medical students and other health professionals on how to communicate properly with PDP. An anonymous feedback of fourth year medical students on this work was obtained using a Likert scale questionnaire as well as response to open and closed questions. Results : Of the eighty-nine students who attended the workshop, eightytwo completed the questionnaire (92% response rate). The majority of the students who watched this work rated highly this educational tool. Eighty-four percent of the students reported that they gained four or more ideas that can help in communicating with PDP. Conclusions : Eighty-four percent of last year medical students reported to have gained four or more new ideas to deal with PDP after reviewing the innovative audiovisual package. Further research to prove its efficacy in diagnosing and managing PDP is underway. © 2019 Lebanese Order of Physicians. All rights reserved.