Teaching Communication with Disabled Patients Using Case-Based Learning – Experience from practice

The aim of this paper is to describe what lecturer’s experiences of teaching communication are with disabled patients using CBL method at Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc. The CBL didactic method includes both intentional and unintentional learning. It is a method of controlled questioning and provides more space for teaching of small groups. During lessons students can communicate with a disabled patient, i.e. an adult with limited legal capacity due to mild mental retardation, and his public guardian. It helps medical students better understand communication processes with a disabled patient and develop interpersonal skills. Using CBL method, students think critically and ask targeted questions to the public guardian of the disabled patient. This experience strengthens the feeling of empathy with the patient, allows him to get to cooperate in treatment. Students are familiar with the communication problem before the lesson. The teacher acts as a facilitator. The inclusion of patient with limited legal capacity and his guardian in the conduct of CBL communication seminars meet the needs of practical training in communication. Keywords: disability; mental retardation; legal capacity; health communication; medical education; case-based learning.