Students' behavioural engagement in reviewing their tele-consultation feedback within an online clinical communication skills platform

Beyond words: analyzing non-verbal communication techniques in a medical communication skills course via synchronous online platform

Background

Effective doctor-patient relationships hinge on robust communication skills, with non-verbal communication techniques (NVC) often overlooked, particularly in online synchronous interactions. This study delves into the exploration of NVC types during online feedback sessions for communication skill activities in a medical education module.

Methods

A cohort of 100 first-year medical students and 10 lecturers at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), engaged in communication skills activities via Microsoft Teams. Sessions were recorded, and lecturer NVC, encompassing body position, facial expressions, voice intonation, body movements, eye contact, and paralinguistics, were meticulously observed. Following these sessions, students provided reflective writings highlighting their perceptions of the feedback, specifically focusing on observed NVC.

Results

The study identified consistent non-verbal communication patterns during feedback sessions. Lecturers predominantly leaned forward and toward the camera, maintained direct eye contact, and exhibited dynamic voice intonation. They frequently engaged in tactile gestures and paused to formulate thoughts, often accompanied by filler sounds like "um" and "okay." This consistency suggests proficient use of NVC in providing synchronous online feedback. Less observed NVC included body touching and certain paralinguistic cues like long sighs. Initial student apprehension, rooted in feelings of poor performance during activities, transformed positively upon observing the lecturer's facial expressions and cheerful intonation. This transformation fostered an open reception of feedback, motivating students to address communication skill deficiencies. Additionally, students expressed a preference for comfortable learning environments to alleviate uncertainties during feedback reception. Potential contrivances in non-verbal communication (NVC) due to lecturer awareness of being recorded, a small sample size of 10 lecturers limiting generalizability, a focus solely on preclinical lecturers, and the need for future research to address these constraints and explore diverse educational contexts.

Conclusion

Medical schools globally should prioritize integrating NVC training into their curricula to equip students with essential communication skills for diverse healthcare settings. The study's findings serve as a valuable reference for lecturers, emphasizing the importance of employing effective NVC during online feedback sessions. This is crucial as NVC, though occurring online synchronously, remains pivotal in conveying nuanced information. Additionally, educators require ongoing professional development to enhance proficiency in utilizing NVC techniques in virtual learning environments. Potential research directions stemming from the study's findings include longitudinal investigations into the evolution of NVC patterns, comparative analyses across disciplines, cross-cultural examinations, interventions to improve NVC skills, exploration of technology's role in NVC enhancement, qualitative studies on student perceptions, and interdisciplinary collaborations to deepen understanding of NVC in virtual learning environments.

Engagement of Higher Education Students in Live Online Classes: Scale Development and Validation

This study aimed to develop and validate the Live Online Classes Engagement Scale (LOCES) to measure higher education (HE) students' live online classes (LOCs) engagement levels. The scale items were created after reviewing the studies focusing on engagement and those developing engagement scales. For validity and reliability, data were collected from 1039 students (Female = 749, Male = 290) who were receiving distance education via LOCs in 34 different departments of 21 universities in Turkey. As a result of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a structure with six factors (social, instructional, technological, emotional, behavioral, and withdrawal) and 46 items was obtained. The total variance explained was 63.45%. As a result, the LOCES met the criteria necessary for validity and reliability. In conclusion, the LOCES can be used to measure the engagement levels of HE students in LOCs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11528-023-00849-7.

Self-regulatory learning theory as a lens on how undergraduate and postgraduate learners respond to feedback: A BEME scoping review: BEME Guide No. 66

INTRODUCTION

Little is known of processes by which feedback affects learners to influence achievement. This review maps what is known of how learners interact with feedback, to better understand how feedback affects learning strategies, and to explore enhancing and inhibiting factors.

METHODS

Pilot searching indicated a wide range of interpretations of feedback and study designs, prompting the use of scoping methodology. Inclusion criteria comprised: (i) learners (undergraduate, postgraduate, continuing education) who regularly receive feedback, and (ii) studies that associated feedback with subsequent learner reaction. The screening was performed independently in duplicate. Data extraction and synthesis occurred via an iterative consensus approach. Self-regulatory learning theory (SRL) was used as the conceptual framework.

RESULTS

Of 4253 abstracts reviewed, 232 were included in the final synthesis. Understandings of feedback are diverse; a minority adopt recognised definitions. Distinct learner responses to feedback can be categorized as cognitive, behavioural, affective, and contextual with complex, overlapping interactions. Importantly emotional responses are commonplace; factors mediating them are pivotal in learner recipience.

CONCLUSION

Feedback benefits learners most when focussed on learner needs, via engagement in bi-directional dialogue. Learner emotions must be supported, with the construction of positive learner-teacher relationships. A developmental agenda is key to learner's acceptance of feedback and enhancing future learning.