Communication skills of specialist doctors: Assessment with SKAF scale a new tool

Objective: To evaluate the standards and uses of communication skills of specialist doctors during the doctor-patient interactions among a sample of specialists belonging to various specialities and based at different hospitals of Lahore. Methodology: One hundred specialists were asked to participate in the prospective, questionnaire based survey in Lahore. These volunteers were asked to fill a form keeping in view their current practices. The scores thus achieved were measured using a proposed SKAF score. The results were graded into four parts depending upon the score achieved by the subjects. Results: Twelve people never returned the survey instrument. Of those who did majority scored as good or excellent. Females showed a better score than males. Those who had previously been instructed formally did better on the SKAF scale. Conclusions: The need of formal hands on training workshops on Communication Skills in both under graduate as well as post graduate trainees cannot be reiterated