title: ["Early patient contact"--the split model].
abstract: In the 2011/2012 academic year, School of Medicine in Split introduced the subject Clinical and Social Skills for 1st and 2nd year students. During the 25 hours of the 85-hour class, the students spent time in their mentors' general practice offices and made home visits with nurses. The goal of the introduction of this subject was to enable students to meet patients and their surroundings early in their studies; we believed that this would contribute to increased respect towards the profession and better absorption of communication skills, as well as better understanding of the patients and additional motivation to complete their studies. At the end of five-day class, the students wrote down their impressions, revealing that they had adjusted well to this form of the class, and that their expectations were fulfilled. They noticed the value of high-quality communication between the doctor and the patient, gained confidence, and felt more motivated to continue studying. They rated the class as useful and necessary, recommending it to last longer.
authors.affiliation: Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Medicinskifakultet Sveucilista u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska. ipavlice@mefst.hr
authors.forename: Ivancica
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pavlicević
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D066107:Social Skills; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*