Impact of AETCOM module 1.4 (foundations of communication) on the knowledge and perception of MBBS phase I students regarding effective doctor–patient communication: a pre-test post-test study

Shivkar Rajni Rajendra; Gulajkar Supriya Rameshrao; Panchbudhe Sanjyoti Ankur; Shaikh Simran; Swami Hanmant; Charushila Yuvraj

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20264194

Authors

Shivkar Rajni Rajendra Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biochemistry D Y Patil University School of Medicine, Ambi Pune, Maharashtra, India
Gulajkar Supriya Rameshrao Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe Pune, Maharashtra, India; Department of Biochemistry D Y Patil University School of Medicine, Ambi Pune, Maharashtra, India
Panchbudhe Sanjyoti Ankur Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe Pune, Maharashtra, India
Shaikh Simran Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe Pune, Maharashtra, India; Arvind Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
Swami Hanmant Department of Biochemistry, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe Pune, Maharashtra, India
Charushila Yuvraj Department of Biochemistry, Sudha Medical College and Hospital, Kota, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20264194

Keywords:

AETCOM, Doctor–patient communication, Competency-based medical education, Undergraduate medical education, Student feedback

Abstract

diagnosis, treatment adherence, patient safety, patient satisfaction, and shared decision-making. The Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) program was introduced as part of India’s competency-based undergraduate medical education curriculum. This study evaluated changes in Phase I MBBS students’ knowledge following AETCOM module 1.4 (foundation of communication) and explored their perceptions of the module.

Methods: A single-group pre-test post-test educational evaluation with a student-feedback survey was conducted among 150 Phase I MBBS students at a university-affiliated medical college and tertiary-care hospital in Pune, India, between May and July 2023. Students completed an eight-item questionnaire before and after the AETCOM sessions. Their perceptions were assessed using a structured feedback questionnaire. Pre and post-test scores were compared using a paired t-test.

Results: The mean score increased from 2.86±0.84 in the pre-test to 5.52±1.38 in the post-test (p<0.001). Student feedback was favorable: all respondents considered AETCOM useful for highlighting the importance of the doctor–patient relationship, and most endorsed its potential contribution to communication skills and patient-centered care. Students also recommended greater use of activity-based, student-centered learning.

Conclusions: AETCOM Module 1.4 was associated with improved scores on a knowledge-based assessment and was positively received by students. These findings support its role in introducing communication principles early in undergraduate medical education. Further studies using observed communication assessments and longitudinal follow-up are needed to determine whether knowledge gains translate into sustained communication skills in clinical practice.

References

Ha JF, Longnecker N. Doctor-patient communication: a review. Ochsner J. 2010;10(1):38-43.

Gaikwad J, Navgire V. Attitude, ethics and communication (AETCOM). Salubris Publishers; 2020.

Verderber RF, Verderber KS. Inter-act: using interpersonal communication skills. 3rd ed. Belmont (CA): Wadsworth; 1983.

DiMatteo MR, Taranta A, Friedman HS, Prince LM. Predicting patient satisfaction from physicians' nonverbal communication skills. Med Care. 1980;18(4):376-87.

5. Hall JA, Harrigan JA, Rosenthal R. Nonverbal behavior in clinician-patient interaction. Appl Prev Psychol. 1995;4(1):21-37.

Silverman J, Kinnersley P. Doctors' non-verbal behaviour in consultations: look at the patient before you look at the computer. Br J Gen Pract. 2010;60(571):76-8.

Medical Council of India. Competency based undergraduate curriculum for the Indian medical graduate. New Delhi: Medical Council of India; 2018. Available from: https://www.nmc.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/UG-Curriculum-Vol-I.pdf. Accessed on 20 September 2026.

Rajashree R, Chandrashekar DM. Competency-based medical education in India: a work in progress. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2020;64(Suppl 1):S7-9.

Dandekar SP, Mahdi F, Chacko TV. A critical appraisal of the new competency-based medical undergraduate curriculum in biochemistry. Indian J Clin Biochem. 2023;38(3):287-96.

Jain T, Mohan Y, Maiya GR, Nesan GSCQ, Boominathan C, Eashwar AVM. Evaluating the effectiveness of ‘AETCOM Module’ on the medical interns posted in peripheral health centres of a tertiary care medical college in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022;11(6):2828-33.

Gangopadhyay S. A review-based study on the importance of doctor-patient communication in healthcare. J Med Dent Sci Res. 2024;11:87-90.

Makoul G. Essential elements of communication in medical encounters: the Kalamazoo consensus statement. Acad Med. 2001;76(4):390-3.

The Kalamazoo Consensus Statement Assessment Tools. Available from: https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1042&context=elearning Accessed on 20 September 2026.

Meadors JD, Murray CB. Doctor-patient interaction in the West: psychosocial aspects. In: Wright JD, editor. International encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2015.

Bridges JFP, Loukanova S, Carrera P. Patient empowerment in health care. In: Heggenhougen HK, editor. International encyclopedia of public health. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2008. p. 17-28.

Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Implementation of AETCOM module in Indian settings: points to ponder. Med J Babylon. 2021;18:287-90.

Agarwal A, Agarwal A, Nag K, Chakraborty S, Ali K. Doctor-patient communication—a vital yet neglected entity in Indian medical education system. Indian J Surg. 2011;73(3):184-6.

Brown J. How clinical communication has become a core part of medical education in the UK. Med Educ. 2008 Mar;42(3):271-8.

Henry SG, Holmboe ES, Frankel RM. Evidence-based competencies for improving communication skills in graduate medical education: a review with suggestions for implementation. Med Teach. 2013;35(5):395-403.

Bidikar MP, Deshmane S, Chandan L. Perception of students to AETCOM module on empathy for first MBBS students. Int J Med Biomed Stud. 2020;4(12):196-8.

Sharma P, Mahajan N. Development of competency in communication skills in third year MBBS students based on AETCOM module: a pilot study. Natl J Integr Res Med. 2020;11(1):35-40.

Sethi S, Pardeshi G, Kishore J. Communication skills for interns: evolution and assessment of a training workshop in a medical college of New Delhi. Int J Health Care Educ Med Inform. 2019;6(2):17-22.

Dixit R, Jain K, Dhariwal SK. Undergraduate impression regarding AETCOM as learning tool. Int J Adv Res. 2021;9:1223-6.

Vijayasree M. Perception of attitude, ethics and communication skills (AETCOM) module by first MBBS students as a learning tool in the foundation course. J Evid Based Med Healthc. 2019;6(42):2750-3.

Shilpa M, Shilpa M, Raghunandana R, Narayana K. Empathy in medical education: does it need to be taught? Students’ feedback on AETCOM module of learning. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2021;11(4):401-5.

Zayapragassarazan Z, Kumar S, Kadambari D. Record review of feedback of participants on attitude, ethics and communication module (AETCOM) proposed by Medical Council of India (MCI). Educ Med J. 2019;11(1):43-8.

Harmon G, Lefante J, Krousel-Wood M. Overcoming barriers: the role of providers in improving patient adherence to antihypertensive medications. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2006;21(4):310-5.

Shahul A, Hameed AS, George AS. A comparative study on medical students’ and faculty perspectives on the incorporation of virtual reality in AETCOM training in medical curriculum in India. Int J Adv Res Sci Commun Technol. 2022;2(1):286-92.

Nilesh C, Solanky P, Dhanani JV, Aashal S, Patel N, Bhadiyadara S. Assessment of clinical communication skills of medical students through the simulated patient approach. J Med Educ. 2020;19(3):1-6.