Feedback of undergraduate Medical Students on AETCOM Module 3.1 - The Foundations of Communication: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Keywords:
AETCOM, Communication skills, Medical Education, quasi-experimental study, student feedbackAbstract
Background: Effective communication skills are necessary for patient satisfaction, compliance with treatment plans, and ethical medical practice. The competency-based curriculum in India implemented AETCOM modules from the first year of MBBS to teach such skills early. However, there are few studies reporting student feedback on the importance and impact of these modules. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AETCOM module 3.1 on doctor–patient communication skills among Phase III MBBS students using pretest and posttest assessment. Material and Methods: This pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted in a central India tertiary care institute from August to September 2025. Out of 200 Phase III MBBS students, 184 were included after taking consent, who underwent interactive sessions on the Kalamazoo Consensus Statement. Knowledge gain was measured using a structured 10-item multiple-choice question (MCQ) questionnaire using Kobo Tool mobile application (paired t-test, p<0.05), while feedback was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (Cronbach's alpha=0.92). Jamovi version 2.6.44 & R software version 4.5.2 used for analysis. paired t-test used to compare mean scores. Frequencies and percentages for student feedback. Results: Mean pretest score was 6.36±1.58, while mean post-test score improved significantly by 8.61±1.21 (t=-15.3, p<0.001). Overall, 67.4% were strongly agreed, 31.5% were agreed whereas 0.5% were neutral/strongly disagreed on satisfaction with AETCOM communication session. Conclusion: AETCOM Competency 3.1 is effective in improving the communication skills of the third professional (Part I) MBBS students. Students feedback evokes high satisfaction of session.
Downloads
References
1. Medarametla V. Perception of Attitude, Ethics and Communication Skills (AETCOM) Module by First MBBS Students as a Learning Tool in the Foundation Course. J Evid Based Med Healthc. 2019 Oct 16;6:2750–3. doi:10.18410/jebmh/2019/571
2. Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Implementation of AETCOM Module in Indian Settings: Points to Ponder. Med J Babylon. 2021 Dec;18(4):287. doi:10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_42_21
3. Govind N, Chowkhani K. Integrating concerns of gender, sexuality and marital status in the medical curriculum. Indian J Med Ethics. 2020 Apr 25;05(02):92–4. doi:10.20529/IJME.2020.039
4. AETCOM_book.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2026 Apr 30]. Available from: https://www.nmc.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AETCOM_book.pdf
5. Gore C, Sirsikar M, Ammar M. A study on feedback by undergraduate medical students for the foundation course under competency-based medical education: An institution-based cross-sectional study. MRIMS J Health Sci. 2023 Oct 14;9:164–8. doi:10.4103/mjhs.mjhs_37_21
6. Lal S, Sehgal P. Integration of Attitude, Ethics, and Communication Competencies into Competency-based UG Curriculum. Indian J Community Med Off Publ Indian Assoc Prev Soc Med. 2022;47(1):4–7. doi:10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_1022_21 PubMed PMID: 35368474; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8971870.
7. Rider EA, Hinrichs MM, Lown BA. A model for communication skills assessment across the undergraduate curriculum. Med Teach. 2006 Aug;28(5):e127-134. doi:10.1080/01421590600726540 PubMed PMID: 16973446.
8. Makoul G. Essential elements of communication in medical encounters: the Kalamazoo consensus statement. Acad Med J Assoc Am Med Coll. 2001 Apr;76(4):390–3. doi:10.1097/00001888-200104000-00021 PubMed PMID: 11299158.
9. Thakur P, Dhage S, Solanke P. Interventional study on effectiveness of attitude, ethics and communication module in improving communication skills of undergraduate medical students in Maharashtra. Int J Community Med Public Health. 225 Jan 9;12(2):734–9. doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20250012
10.Shyamala KK, Kulkarni V, Shenoy V, Khatri B, Thapashwi, Ta L, et al. Impact Of Communication Skills Training in Postgraduate Medical Education. Natl J Community Med. 2022 Jun 30;13(06):359–63. doi:10.55489/njcm.13062022403
11.Padaki S, Dambal A, Badami S, Prabin S, Patil S, Herur A. Perception of Communication Competence in First MBBS Students: The Crucial Role of AETCOM Training.
12Gouda S, Subhaschandra K, M G, Barthy UK. Study of Effective Communication Skills Among Medical Practitioners of Raichur District, North Karnataka: A Cross-sectional Study. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2024 Oct 1;46(3):397–400. doi:10.1177/09710973251316360
13.Jaiswal KM, Abraham JP, Chowhan KR. Perceptions of AETCOM module amongst medical students: a questionnaire-based study. Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol. 2025 Jun 24;14(4):487–91. doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20251831
14.Jain T, Mohan Y, Maiya GR, Nesan GSCQ, Boominathan C, Eashwar AVM. Evaluating the effectiveness of ‘AETCOM Module’ on the medical interns posted in peripheral health centres of a tertiary care medical college in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2022 Jun;11(6):2828–33. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1647_21 PubMed PMID: 36119158; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9480674.
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
Data not available for readers
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nikhilesh R Nagtode, Pushkar Masram, Umesh S Joge (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
