Hurdles and solutions of communication in clinical practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study among Sri Lankan medical students

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted communication for medical students, yet they adeptly adapted to the challenges, persevering with their clinical training. This study aimed to evaluate the various communication hurdles faced, adaptations practiced and how they correlate with patient-centeredness and stress due to the pandemic. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional was done using a self-administered questionnaires among medical students in the final two years. A focus group discussion facilitated the questions to assess challenges and solutions. The Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) and Coronavirus Pandemic Anxiety Scale (CPAS) were used to determine patient-centeredness and COVID-related anxiety. Independent sample t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient done considering a statistical significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Female students and those without a previous communication skills training programme had greater communication difficulty. More adaptations were practiced among female students and final-year students. Overall, participants had high levels of patient-centeredness together with low levels of COVID-related anxiety. There was a significant relationship between students’ difficulty in communication and the adaptations practiced. COVID-related anxiety increased communication difficulty. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of addressing the barriers to effective communication to facilitate clinical training of medical students. Nurturing communication skills and encouraging positive coping strategies, would improve communication.