How we train undergraduate medical students in decoding patients’ nonverbal clues

Abstract

Background: Communication skills (CS) and the psychosocial dimensions of patient care are currently considered core competencies in medical schools. CS programs have focused on verbal communication rather than the nonverbal communication.

Aim: To present a training program aimed to decode patients’ nonverbal clues for second year medical students implemented at the School of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Method: A description of a theoretical framework, principles, general and specific goals, learning settings, strategies, skills, and assessment tools.

Results: A model of training for preclinical medical students in decoding patients’ nonverbal clues is shown. The students have shown satisfaction with the program.

Conclusions: The detection of patients’ nonverbal clues can be regarded as a humanistic skill that can be defined, trained, and evaluated. The program can be transferable to other institutions on health sciences and adapted to other academic levels or, even, clinical specialties.