Feedback in patient counselling training--pharmacy students' opinions.
OBJECTIVE
The aims were to analyse Finnish pharmacy students' opinions of feedback given to them in patient counselling training during their internship period, and to evaluate the guidelines used.


METHODS
The study was based on reports written by 136 students, analysed qualitatively. To examine the significance of the guidelines and the perceived quality of the feedback, students were categorised into groups. Correlations were assessed by frequencies and cross-tabulations.


RESULTS
A statistically significant correlation was found (p<0.001) between the perceived quality of the feedback and the use of the guidelines. The relations between the perceived usefulness of the guidelines and the use of the guidelines in patient counselling exercises were also statistically significant (p=0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the perceived quality of the feedback was indeed associated with the use of the guidelines. They not only offer a training method focusing on essential communication skills in patient counselling, but are also a useful tool for developing counselling practices in general.


CONCLUSIONS
Since mentors are probably unfamiliar with the guidelines, students should be trained to explain their use. To ensure that mentors are competent in analysing communication skills, further training for them is essential.
Hyvärinen
Marja-Leena
ML
Language Centre, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. marjaleena.hyvarinen@uku.fi
Tanskanen
Paavo
P
Katajavuori
Nina
N
Isotalus
Pekka
P
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000592:standards*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005387:Finland; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000592:standards; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010594:Pharmacies; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*