2021 Volume 5 Article ID: 2020-056
In this paper, we report on the possibilities and limitations to keep in mind in communication education to understand patient psychology from the practice of online medical interview training. As a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 infection, medical interview training was conducted using the Zoom online conference system. A two-day program in “Patient Psychology and Communication” was introduced to the fourth-year students in the Faculty of Pharmacy. Simulated Patient (SP) sessions were held in the breakout room, setting a natural scene for online medical interviews. Five qualified pharmacists who participated in the online training reviewed the online interviews and summarized from the following three perspectives: an awareness of patient psychology and communication, the educational effects of online medical interviews, and the limitations of online training. They confirmed that the basic communication responses to understand patient psychology by listening with empathy are universal in face-to-face and online interviews. On the other hand, the online limitations and the importance of teacher facilitation skills became clear. The trend of moving online with COVID-19 is irreversible, and the educational effects unique to online learning should be utilized for practical communication education.
