Improving medical students’ communication competencies to deal with intimate partner violence using clinical simulations in Mozambique

BACKGROUND: During their medical training, medical students aim to master communication skills and professionalism competencies to foster the best possible patient-physician relationship. This is especially evident when dealing with sensitive topics. This study describes and analyses the outcomes of a simulation-based training module on clinical communication competency through interacting with simulated intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. The training was set up as part of a broader IPV module within a Gynaecology and Obstetrics Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of Medicine (MBBS). METHODS: In total, 34 (59%) of all fourth-year medical students from one medical school in Mozambique were involved. A mixed-method approach was adopted. First, a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was adopted to study the impact of the intervention to tackle critical IPV knowledge, skills, and attitudes, underlying a patient communication script. Second, a qualitative analysis of student perceptions was carried out. RESULTS: The results of the paired sample t-tests point at a significant and positive change in post-test values when looking at the general IPV self-efficacy (IPV SE) score and the subscales mainly in attitudes. Participants expressed a desire for additional IPV communication competency and suggested enhancements to the module. CONCLUSION: We conclude that due to IPV being a sensitive issue, simulation activities are a good method to be used in a safe environment to develop clinical skills. The results of this study are a good complement of the analysis of the competencies learned by the medical students in Mozambique with the current curriculum. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-021-02560-8.