O.P.1Communication amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: hurdles and solutions: Presenter(s): Lakith Amarathunga, Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Communication between medical students and patients was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to multiple reasons such as the use of face masks. This however poses a detrimental effect on patient care as effective communication plays the foundation of building a good doctor-patient relationship. The aim of this study was to assess the barriers to communication faced, explore the strategies to overcome them and to assess the stress experienced due to COVID-19 among medical students of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. METHOD: A mix method descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 334 medical students using self-reported online questionnaire including a sinhala validated Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) and challenges and adaptions during pandemic. A focus group discussion was used to identify the challenges and adaptations. RESULTS: The attitudes of Sri Lankan medical students were more patient-cantered in general (mean PPOS score 4.34, SD 0.29). Students had higher mean caring scores (4.46, SD 0.38) than Sharing scores (4.22, SD 0.36). Students in general faced difficulties in communication during the pandemic (mean of 3.31) but did not adapt strategies to overcome these difficulties (mean of 2.49). Compared to male students, females showed more difficulty communicating (mean of 3.36 vs. 3.20, p<0.05). 65% of students used more than 3 precautionary measures while talking to patients. However, thse measures did not have any negative effect on communication (mean of 3.33 vs. 3.28, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study group reports higher patient centered attitude with better caring scores and poor adaptive strategies. A communication training with emphasis on shared decision making and adaptation in challenging situations included in curricula would be beneficial.