Abstract
Aim Patient physician communication is an essential core clinical competency that is indispensable to medical education. Literature reviews suggest that an integrated design is the best way to develop this curriculum. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a pilot integrated curriculum for continuing education of medical teachers teaching skill of patient physician communication. Methods A four hour continuing education curriculum was developed taking into consideration the local cultures. Eighty nine medical teachers from internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and emergency medicine departments were invited to participate in this curriculum in August 2013. During the four hour curriculum, five video clips were shown followed by small group discussion, role play, video replay and feedback. Every participant completed a questionnaire before and after the curriculum and that questionnaire was to evaluate teachers perspectives of the importance and confidence of patient physician communication teaching skill. Results Significant improvements were noted after the curriculum in terms of the importance of tutoring skills (before 3.70 vs. after 3.95, p<0.05) and perspectives toward self-confidence of tutoring skills (before 4.71 vs. after 4.82, p<0.05). Conclusions This new strategy for continuing education of medical teacher was effective in improvement of confidence with patient physician communication teaching skills. Integrated design is a good way to develop a continuing education curriculum.