Objective: We describe the development and evaluation of a novel programme that uses an online patient portal system to provide medical students with early and authentic experience of patient interaction.
Methods: Focus group discussions were held with students, tutors and patients who had taken part in the first year of the programme.
Results: The programme provided an opportunity for early patient interaction in a safe environment. Students were able to practice communication skills learnt elsewhere in the course as well as identifying some of the different skills required for asynchronous online interactions. The approach gave opportunities to develop understanding of aspects of life with a long-term condition.
Conclusion: Using an online patient portal system to interact with a patient enabled students to develop and apply their communication skills in a safe environment and gain a holistic view of a patient's experience.
Practice implications: Medical students need to be equipped with the skills needed to communicate electronically with patients. Current medical curricula currently focus on more traditional models of the consultation. Further research is needed to establish best practice in this rapidly growing area.
Keywords: Communication skills; Computers; Curriculum development; Long-term conditions; Medical education; New technology; Online communication.
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