Transforming doctor–patient communication: Internet and telemedicine in simulation-based medical training.

The article focuses on a newly developed course at the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary titled "Internet and Telemedicine in Doctor–Patient Communication," designed to equip undergraduate medical students with skills to navigate digital transformations in healthcare communication. The course combines theoretical instruction on topics such as telemedicine, e-patients, and "Google patients" (patients who self-diagnose via the internet) with simulation-based training using trained Simulated Patients (SPs) to practice teleconsultation scenarios. Student feedback from questionnaires and reflective essays indicated high satisfaction with the course’s relevance, particularly valuing the practical roleplay and SP feedback, while suggesting a need for more hands-on practice. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital communication competencies into medical education to address evolving patient behaviors and telemedicine’s growing role, noting the course’s potential for ongoing curriculum development despite its current limited participant size.