OBJECTIVES: The search for appropriate tools to assess communicational skills remains an ongoing challenge. The Calgary-Cambridge Observation Guide (CCOG) 28-item version can measure and compare performance in communication skills training. Our goal was to adapt this version of the CCOG for the Brazilian cultural context and perform a psychometric quality analysis of the instrument. METHODS: Experienced preceptors (35) assessed videos of five medical residents with a simulated patient using the translated guide. For the cultural adaptation, we followed the methodological norms on synthesis, retro-translation, committee review, and testing. We obtained validity evidence for the CCOG 28-item version using confirmatory factor analysis and the Many-Facet Rasch Model (MFRM). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate level of goodness-of-fit. The MFRM reliability coefficient was high in all facets, namely assessors (0.90), stations (0.99), and items (0.98). The assessors had greater difficulty with attitudinal items, such as demonstration of respect, confidence, and empathy. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric indicators of the tool were adequate, a good potential for reproducing its Brazilian version as well as acceptable reliability for its use.

Está bem estabelecida a necessidade de incluir o ensino da comunicação no currículo das escolas médicas de forma sistemática. Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção de estudantes de Medicina de três escolas médicas de países diferentes (Brasil, Espanha e Holanda) e as potencialidades de cada uma destas escolas no processo de ensino-aprendizagem da comunicação médico-paciente. Método: Estudo exploratório qualitativo, com estudantes do último ano de Medicina, mediante entrevista semiestruturada, observação direta e análise temática de conteúdo. No Brasil, foram utilizados dados secundários de pesquisa similar. Resultados: As principais potencialidades encontradas foram a aprendizagem por modelos, com pacientes simulados, uso de videogravação e a Atenção Primária da Saúde (APS) como ambiente de ensino. Conclusão: A associação dessas potencialidades no ensino, com inserção do estudante na APS desde o início do curso, inclusão de pacientes simulados e videogravação, pode maximizar a aprendizagem da comunicação-médico paciente.

There is a well established requirement for the systematic inclusion of communication skills in medical school curricula. Objectives: To understand the perception of undergraduate students from three medical schools in different countries (Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands), and the potentialities of each of these schools in the teaching-learning process of physician-patient communication. Methods: Qualitative exploratory study, with final year undergraduate medical students, through semi-structured interviews and direct observation. Data analysis was conducted by means of thematic content analysis. Results: The main potentialities found were learning by models, with patient simulations, video recordings and in Primary Health Care (PHC) teaching environments. Conclusions: It was observed that the association of these teaching potentialities, with student insertion in PHC from the beginning of the course and the inclusion of simulated patients and video recordings can optimise learning of physician-patient communication.