Evaluation of two videotape instruction programmes on how to break bad news--for Cantonese-speaking medical students in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a culture-specific videotape on how to 'break bad news' and another videotape produced by a western university, and to determine if the language of presentation influenced the students' perceived abilities to execute basic skills.


METHODS
Third year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong.


METHODS
Longitudinal study with experimental design.


METHODS
Two instructional tapes on breaking bad news; one using Chinese speaking role models and one using English.


RESULTS
In both groups, self-efficacy summed scores increased from 26.8 (95% CI = 25.9-27.7) at the pre-test to 29.0 (95% CI = 28.4-29.6). The biggest changes occurred in perceived self-efficacy regarding specific skills. However, students using the Chinese tape rated skills as more useful than those using the English tape.


CONCLUSIONS
The videotapes were useful in teaching communication skills. Culturally relevant audiovisual materials were more effective.
Betson
C L
CL
Department of Community Medicine, University of Hong Kong. betsoncl@netvigator.com
Fielding
R
R
Wong
G
G
Chung
S F
SF
Nestel
D F
DF
D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003469:Culture; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012655:Self-Evaluation Programs; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014743:Videotape Recording