By the Students, for the Students: Operation Conversation Enhances Preclinical Students' Confidence in Challenging Communication Skills.

Abstract

Background: Effective communication improves outcomes, yet communication skills training remains underrepresented in preclinical medical education. Operation Conversation, a student-designed and mentored program focused on difficult conversations, was integrated into the core curriculum to address this gap.

Methods: Preclinical medical students participated in small-group experiential learning sessions using personally selected, simulated scenarios. Each session included facilitator observation and feedback. Anonymous qualitative comments and quantitative feedback were collected to assess learner satisfaction and changes in self-confidence.

Results: Eighty-one percent of participants reported being "extremely satisfied" with the program and said they would recommend it to peers. Self-confidence increased across all program objectives, and participants said the exercises were realistic and timely.

Conclusions: This student-championed program builds communication confidence through experiential learning and feedback. Learners valued the program and appreciated its relevance. Future work will examine participants' longitudinal communication performance through standardized assessments.