An Investigation of the Relationship among Conformity, Communication, and Anxiety in Medical Education
Date
2019-03-16
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Abstract
Health care members can face challenging situations when learning and working within multidisciplinary teams, such as when they are confronted with information that is contrary to their own understanding and knowledge. Consequently, some medical team members could feel pressure to conform to peers if they are required to make decisions. Over the years, many researchers in the field of psychology have defined that conformity occurs when an individual follows a course of action that is socially acceptable or in agreement with a majority of group members, even when this actions seems incorrect. In examining why group members might conform, some studies have suggested that poor communication and anxiety may be reasons for conformity behaviour; however, this possibility has not yet been clearly examined. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship among learners’ communication competency, anxiety, and conformity behaviours in simulation exercises. Thirty male and female participants of various ages, medical specialties, and positions (i.e., medical clerks and residents) were observed in a simulation lab at Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, Canada. Three measures were used in this study to observe the participants’ behaviours: A List of Potential Conformity Behaviours (LPCB), the Non-Technical Skills (NOTECHS) system, and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Participants were also interviewed to explore their reasons for conforming. The study results showed that individuals with higher leadership and managerial skills exhibited more verbal and non-verbal behaviours. The anxiety levels of participants were found to be unrelated to their verbal and non-verbal behaviours, but changes in anxiety levels were associated with more verbal behaviours. Also, no relationship was found among the communication skills of participants and their anxiety levels. Finally, no link was established among conformity status, communication skill, and anxiety. Many participants also justified their feelings of pressure to conform during the study’s simulation exercises and also in clinic as related to medical hierarchies and their own knowledge level. Additionally, some medical situations, such as dealing with emergencies and participants’ concerns about their image in front of other team members, may create pressure to conform. Although this study’s results showed no significant relationship among conformity, communication, and anxiety, it enhances our understanding of the complexity of studying the relationship among different constructs
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Keywords
Medical Education, Conformity, Communication, Anxiety
Citation
Al Baz, N. K. (2019). An Investigation of the Relationship among Conformity, Communication, and Anxiety in Medical Education (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.