E-learning training in communication skills in physical therapy students: quasi-experimental study

• Published in: Millenium (Viseu) 2022 (10), p.111-121
• Main Authors: Almeida Santos, Leonor, Meneses, Rute F, Costa Santos, Cristina, Couto, Germano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: atención dirigida al paciente; centered care; comunicación en salud; comunicação em saúde; cuidado centrado no paciente; educación superior; empathy; empatia; empatía; ensino superior; fisioterapia; health communication; higher education; patient; physical therapy
• ISSN: 1647-662X; 1647-662X

Introduction: The therapeutic process requires from the physiotherapist skills beyond those of technical mastery. Health communication skills, proven to be in continuous development since the initial stage of training, determine the importance of their pre-graduate teaching. Objetive: To evaluate the effectiveness of a health communication skills training program for physical therapy students. Methods: Quasi-experimental study. Thirty-four physiotherapy students from Escola Superior de Saúde- Fernando Pessoa participated. Application of the scales Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Patient-Practioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) pre and post intervention; e-learning training, structured in eight modules in asynchronous and synchronous sessions, a total of 16 hours. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the Sharing component of the PPOS in female participants. There was a decrease in the total IRI, with an increase in cognitive empathy and affective empathy, as well as an increase in the total PPOS and in both subscales (Sharing and Caring), although without statistical significance. The use of the Moodle® platform was considered "very easy" by 79% of the participants and 50% considered that the online format "totally" facilitated learning. Conclusion: The search for alternatives to avoid the decrease of empathic communication is urgent. The difficulty of the practical components suggests that a mixed model, in b-learning format, may be an option to e-learning in the teaching of clinical/health communication skills in physiotherapy students. Introdução: O processo terapêutico requer do fisioterapeuta competências para além das do domínio técnico. As competências de comunicação clínica/em saúde, comprovadamente em contínuo desenvolvimento desde a fase inicial de formação, determinam a importância do seu ensino pré-graduado. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia de um programa de treino de competências de comunicação clínica/em saúde para alunos de fisioterapia. Métodos: Estudo Quasi-experimental. Participaram 34 alunos de fisioterapia da Escola Superior de Saúde- Fernando Pessoa. Aplicação das escalas Índice de Reatividade Interpessoal (IRI) e Patient-Practioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) pré e pós intervenção; formação e-learning, estruturada em oito módulos em sessões assíncronas e síncronas, num total de 16 horas. Resultados: Verificou-se um aumento estatisticamente significativo na componente Sharing da PPOS nas participantes do sexo feminino