Objective: This study evaluates an educational intervention focusing on the ethical reasoning and communication skills necessary in counseling patients about morally objectionable medical interventions.
Study design: All students on the core clerkship in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine participated in a structured workshop. Students completed anonymous surveys before and after the workshop. Associations between the participants' change in comfort level in providing nondirective counseling and measured demographic variables were analyzed.
Results: Of 140 students, 37% (n = 52) positively changed their comfort level with nondirective options counseling; 10% (n = 14) negatively changed. Change in understanding of the physician's role was reported by 60% (n = 84). The exercise was rated as educationally valuable by 95% (n = 128), with 84% (n = 115) attesting that the workshop would help them "approach things differently."
Conclusion: Evaluation of multiple parameters demonstrated that this workshop heightened student awareness of the ethical and communications skills challenges posed by this clinical situation.