1) To examine the significance and problems of medical interview training, self-administered questionnaires were completed by 90 students who took part in medical interview training with simulated patients in clinical training after objective structured clinical examinations.2) Most students thought that medical interview training was meaningful and thanked the simulated patients for their useful comments. On the other hand, some students felt that to improve their interviewing skills stricter feedback from simulated patients and instructors might be needed.3) Our results suggest that repeated training in medical interviewing in clinical training after objective structured clinical examinations is an effective method for teaching communication skills. However, in the future the scenarios should be improved and the frequency of medical interview training should be increased.

This study examined the effectiveness of a communication program in undergraduate medical education in improving communication in physicians' clinical practice. The effectiveness of the program was assessed with a mail survey using self-rated questionnaires 9 years later. Ninety participants were follwed up in late 1994; 57.8% of them replied to the questionnaire. Of the respondents, 60% replied that programs concerned with active listening and role-playing had benefits on communicating with patients and families. In addition, 40% of respondents answered that case studies aimed at teaching comprehensive medicine with the team approach was effective in improving communication with co-medical staff. These results suggest that the communication program in undergraduate medical education is effective in improving clinical communication in clinical practice when students are highly motivated.