Background: The UK's General Medical Council (GMC) emphasises effective communication as fundamental to good medical practice. Conversations with colleagues without English as a first language suggested that their needs in learning clinical communication skills might have differed from those of native English speakers. This study investigated whether training in UK medical schools was adequately catering for these students.
Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to seven UK medical schools. Responses were analysed to find areas of concern, the most beneficial aspects of the current curriculum and proposals for improvements.
Results: In total, 151 international students responded. Students reported improvements in clinical communication throughout medical school, but concerns remain concerning 'social communication' and integration with peers. A majority felt that there was a need to improve clinical communication training specifically for international students.
Conclusion: Medical schools are successful in helping international students to develop clinical communication skills, but could further encourage social integration. This could be achieved by introducing a programme linking international students with non-international students upon medical school entry.
© Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011.