Assessment of Interpersonal Communication Skills and Associated Factors among Students of Allied Medicine School in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: As the future members of treatment team, students of medical sciences need to acquire communication skills in order to shape an effective and determined relationship with patients. The aim of this study is to assess the level of interpersonal communication skills among students of Allied Medical School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this analytical descriptive cross-sectional study, 212 students of school of allied health sciences were selected through randomized sampling method. Data gathering tool was a standardized questionnaire named Interpersonal Communication Skills Standards Test containing 34 items having 5 points scale and its score ranged 34 -170. Data was analyzed by statistical tests of t and ANOVA. Results: 170 questionnaires completed. 67.6% of participants were female. Mean score of students’ communication skills level was 99.829.91 which showed a significant relationship with years of study (P=0.009, F=3.980). The mean score for male and female students were 100.449.16 and 99.5310.28 respectively t test showed no significant differences between these mean scores (P= 0.58). Conclusion: Duration of education is an important factor on the level of interpersonal communication skills in students of Allied Health Sciences in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. It seems that educational experience of students improves their communication performance