Teaching medical students about communication in speech-language disorders: Effects of a lecture and a workshop. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saldert, Charlotta; Forsgren, Emma; Hartelius, Lena
• Is Part Of: International journal of speech-language pathology. Volume 18:Number 6(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 579
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: medical students -- speech-language pathology students -- supported communication -- communication disorder -- person-centred care; Speech disorders -- Periodicals; Language disorders -- Periodicals; Speech therapy -- Periodicals; 616.855005
• DOI: 10.3109/17549507.2016.1143975
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-9507

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose : This study aims to explore the effects of an interactive workshop involving speech-language pathology students on medical students' knowledge about communication in relation to speech-language disorders. Method : Fifty-nine medical students received a lecture about speech-language disorders. Twenty-six of them also participated in a workshop on communication with patients with speech-language disorders. All students completed a 12-item questionnaire exploring knowledge and attitudes towards communication before and after the lecture or the workshop. The results from the two groups' self-ratings of confidence in knowledge were compared with expert-ratings of their ability to choose suitable communicative strategies. Result : Both the lecture and the workshop increased the students' confidence in knowledge about speech-language disorders and how to support communication. Only the workshop group also displayed a statistically significant increase in expert-rated ability and changed their attitude regarding responsibility for the communication in cases of speech-language disorders. There were no statistically significant correlations between the student's own confidence ratings and the experts' ratings of ability. Conclusion : Increased confidence in knowledge from learning is not always reflected in actual knowledge in how to communicate. However, an interactive workshop proved to increase medical students' expert-rated ability and attitudes related to communication in cases of speech-language disorders.