The impact of role play and group discussion on the knowledge and attitude of interns of Jahrom Medical School about breaking bad news, 2009

Appropriate breaking bad news skills are essential to the practice of high quality medicine. This study was performed in order to assess the educational benefits of training on breaking bad news skills by role play versus group discussion methods. This interventional double blind study was performed in 2009-2010 in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Determination of the sample size and sampling method was based on census. 30 interns were involved in this study. They were divided into two groups randomly. Their knowledge and attitude about breaking bad news skills were evaluated with valid and reliable questionnaires. Then, group one participated in group discussion workshop and the other group participated in the role play workshop. Their knowledge and attitude were re-evaluated after the course. The scores of pre-course and post- course of both groups were compared. The results were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using t-test and paired t-test. The mean score of knowledge and attitude of both groups before training were compared and the results showed that there was no significant difference between them (p=0.618 and p=0.329). The mean scores of knowledge of groups one and two before and after training were compared and there was a significant difference (P<0.0001). The mean scores of the attitude of groups one and two before and after training revealed a significant difference (p=0.001). The mean scores of the knowledge and attitude of groups one and two after training were compared and there was a significant difference (P<0.0001, P<0.0001). Although both methods were effective in producing significant changes in medical student’s knowledge and attitude, role playing was more effective.