title: [Communication skills training for medical students: from the simple to the complex].
abstract: Communication skills training at the Medical School of Copenhagen University aims to teach students basic skills in both interviewing and giving information. The article describes a method whereby the students follow a general communication skills model for giving information. The training is conducted with simulated patients (actors). It begins with providing information about simple diagnostic or operative procedures and routine tests. These skills are also practiced in clinical courses on real patients, under supervision. Later on, the students are trained in breaking bad news, but with simulated patients only.
authors.affiliation: Københavns Universitet, Laboratorium for Kliniske Faerdigheder, og H:S Rigshospitalet, Afsnit 5404, DK-2100 København Ø.
authors.forename: Peter Lønberg
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Birgitte Dahl
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aspegren
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011231:Preceptorship; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014342:Truth Disclosure