RELEVANCE OF ROLE PLAY IN SENSITIZING UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN BREAKING BAD NEWS

*Dr. Anne Wilkinson, Dr. Suresh Chari, Dr. Swanand Pathak

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of role play, to train II MBBS undergraduate medical students, in breaking bad news. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IEC clearance for the project was obtained. 100 Second MBBS students were enrolled for the training with their consent. A pretest was taken. A clinical case in breaking bad news using dummy patients was given to the student. They were assessed using OSCE. The same case was given to all students. This was followed by a lecture for the whole batch and role plays involving the students, in different clinical scenarios, to demonstrate the art of breaking bad news, based on SPIKES protocol. A post role play OSCE was repeated. Post test was taken. The student‟s written feedback was taken. Statistical analysis- The results were analysed using SPSS version 20 software. Chi square test and p value was applied where necessary. Paired t test was used for comparing pre and post lecture OSCE Likert scale. RESULTS: The results from the pretest and post test showed that there was an Absolute learning gain of 39.65%. The paired t test applied to the pre lecture / role play OSCE and post lecture / role play OSCE showed highly significant results with a t value of 17.85 and p value <0.001. CONCLUSION: Based on this study we could recommend that the earlier the students are exposed to different role play in situations where they have to communicate bad news, the better it gears them in getting some direction for the same when they face real life situations.

Keywords: Role play, breaking bad news, medical students.