Students' attitudes towards learning communication skills: correlating attitudes, demographic and metacognitive variables

Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the relationship of students' attitudes towards learning communication skills to demographic variables, metacognitive skills, and to the appreciation of patientoriented care. Methods: The crosssectional survey study involved firstand thirdterm students from two traditional and two problembased curricula (N= 351). Demographic variables, attitudes towards communication skills learning, patient orientation, and awareness of learning strategies were assessed. Differences in attitude measures were assessed with t-tests and univariate comparisons. With multiple linear regressions predictor variables of students' attitudes towards communication skills learning and patientoriented care were identified. Results: A positive attitude towards learning communication skills was predicted by a caring patient orientation, self-regulation of learning strategies, and female gender R-2= 0.23; F (9,310) = 9.72; p < 0.001). Students' caring patient orientation was predicted by their attitudes towards learning communication skills, female gender, and higher age (R-2= 0.23; F (9,307) = 13.48; p < 0.001). Students from a traditional curriculum were least interested in learning communication skills (F (3, 346) = 26.75; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Students' attitudes towards learning communication skills and their caring patient orientation are interrelated. However, communication skills are considered as more positive by students with good self-regulatory skills. Early training of self-regulation and the training of communication skills in mixed-gender groups are recommended.