UNDERGRADUATE IMPRESSION REGARDING AETCOM AS LEARNING TOOL

AETCOM module feedback on their perception was collected. Results: A majority of the students (77.14%) agreed that the AETCOM Module will definitely improve their communication skills with the patients. They also felt that this type of teaching should be included in their regular curriculum and this should be an ongoing process throughout their semester. Students’ views on AETCOM were- asset for gaining confidence of the patients (87.62%), useful for themselves and for future practice, excellent method for improvement of diagnosis (81.90%). Conclusion: The AETCOM Module will definitely help students on long-term basis. It will help them gain confidence and develop good communication skills for a better doctor patient relationship.


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Knowledge of proper Attitude, Ethics and Communication Skills with the patients plays a vital role in success of medical professionals. The domains of attitude and communications with emphasis on ethics therefore need to be taught directly and explicitly throughout the undergraduate curriculum.
It is widely accepted that physicians require good history taking and communication skills. (2) The most noble profession considered today is medical profession, and it's the duty of doctors to stand up to this and follow ethics at all times. Ethics is the rule of right conduct or practice in a profession. (3) Attitudes, another important component of AETCOM, are complex mental processes that are thought to influence the way in which individuals process information and to motivate behaviour. (4) The attitude of doctors towards the profession influences to a large extent a number of aspects of clinical competence.
As a part of that foundation course, we have conducted sessions on AETCOM Module in our college. We wanted to assess the perception of Attitude, Ethics and Communication Skills (AETCOM) module by first MBBS students as a learning tool in their foundation course. The sessions at first were taken in theoretical mode by faculties of different semester. Students were taught about proper communication skills, its relevance in developing doctor patient relationship, students were also taught regarding ethics and attitude. During session stress was also focussed upon proper appearance, dressing, and use of language.

Material and Methods:-
It was ensured all sessions had active participation from learners. Sessions were made interactive as well as innovative by the teachers by using different audio-visual aids, involvement of students, games, role plays etc.
At the end of the foundation course, feedback was taken from students regarding their perception of AETCOM module.
Out of 150,105 students were enrolled for the study, since they gave the consent and were present during the study.

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Result:-Out of 150, 105 students were present on the day of study and gave their consent for the participation. 77.14% mentioned AETCOM is useful to improve communication skills. 87.62% mentioned AETCOM is useful for gaining patients confidence and for gaining self-confidence 81.90% mentioned AETCOM is useful for future practice and useful method for improving the diagnosis 80 % mentioned AETCOM should be taught continuously throughout the UG course  Discussion:-77.14% of students mentioned AETCOM is useful to improve communication skills. Similar finding was observed in other studies also. (5,6) This shows that students do realise the importance of good communication skills and they also believe that this skill needs to be taught rather than just be expected from them.
Effective communication builds self-confidence and even patients' confidence on doctors.
Many available evidence indicates that patient satisfaction is strongly associated with the communication behaviours that occur during the physician-patient interaction. 1226 Several studies that focused on patient satisfaction were able to outline specific behaviours associated with satisfaction. (7,8,9) In our study 87.62% Students also mentioned that learning about AETCOM will help them in gaining patients confidence and for gaining self-confidence.
This study indicates that the positive attitude increases if students realise the importance of skills.
A doctor's communication and interpersonal skills encompass the ability to gather information in order to facilitate accurate diagnosis, counsel appropriately, give therapeutic instructions, and establish caring relationships with patients In our study 81.90% Of students mentioned that AETCOM module will be useful for future practice and useful method for improving the diagnosis. Similar findings were observed in other study also. (10) Students develop effective soft skills by observing their seniors, teachers, mentors and then finally during practice they use them. Although teaching these soft skills are challenging during formative years, but when started at beginning and continued throughout the course they allow the students to practice to perfection over the years. 80 %mentioned that AETCOM should be taught continuously throughout the UG course

Conclusion:-
The AETCOM Module will be good for the first year MBBS students for communicating better with the patients in their medical course.