Table 3 Themes, subthemes, codes and verbatim quotes from the FGDs with the intervention participants

Effective Communication

Communication Skills

Enhanced confidence and reduced hesitation during public speaking.

“We gained a lot of knowledge and confidence for effective communication in the hospital.”

Improved understanding of communication with patients, seniors, and juniors.

“We learned how to communicate with others, patients, seniors.”

Knowledge Gain

Promoted active learning through hands-on, experiential activities.

Provided structured insights into hospital communication scenarios.

Positive Learning

Faculty guidance and interactive sessions created a comfortable and engaging environment.

“It was a positive experience learning from good faculty in a comfortable environment.”

Informative and visually structured teaching method appreciated by participants.

Overcoming Hesitation

Helped participants overcome fear of speaking in group settings and develop confidence.

“I think it was a very good opportunity. My communication skills and my confidence have boosted up.”

Less impactful for reducing hesitation due to passive nature of watching videos.

“The videos were quite beneficial, but there was a lot of passive learning and not many interactive sessions”

Reducing Gaps

Promoted better understanding between doctors and nurses, fostering collaboration.

“Interacting with nurses helped us understand each other and support our patients better.”

Emphasized improving communication for patient outcomes.

“We learnt how improving communication between doctor and staff can enhance patient outcomes.”

Teaching Methodology

Identifying Mistakes

Highlighted and corrected communication errors through live feedback.

“We could observe each other’s mistakes and give feedback”

Encouraged recognition of communication gaps via video examples.

“The videos helped to recognize mistakes and promptly acting by communicating and bringing issues to the doctor’s notice.”

Practical Application

Demonstrated skills applicable in ward settings and real-world scenarios.

“It will help us utilise these skills in our wards.”

Demonstrated theoretical communication scenarios with limited real-world applicability.

OSCE Relevance

Participants noted relevance of RP to future OSCE performance.

“It can help us improve our performance in OSCEs”

Suggested incorporating communication skills into OSCE through VBL examples.

“The examples used in the videos can definitely be used in OSCE exams for communication skills.”

Perceived Challenges

Language Barriers

Addressed interprofessional communication struggles but highlighted lack of multilingual support.

“We should have scenarios in different languages because those situations can be challenging.”

Identified language as a significant obstacle.

“Language can be a barrier between doctor, patient, and staff.”

Past Experience

Difficulties faced during first-time interaction with nurses and staff.

“First-time interaction with nurses was challenging.”

Time and Focus

Participants applauded the role-play scenarios for efficiency.

“It takes a little time and a was easy to concentrate.”

Timing issues noted in videos, reducing focus and engagement.

“Timing can be improved in the videos.”

Suggestions for Improvement

Practical Experience

Recommended extending role-play activities to include real patient interaction.

“… real patient interactions can improve awareness of symptoms.”

Suggested integrating videos with practical, hands-on sessions for better applicability.

“More practical experience with direct patient interaction.”

Workshop Frequency

Advocated for more frequent role-play workshops to reinforce skills.

“We need such sessions regularly to solidify our skills.”

Suggested regular workshops to maintain communication proficiency.

“Continuous practice with workshops can improve communication.”

Scenario Diversity

Suggested incorporating diverse clinical scenarios in role-play exercises.

“More examples and different scenarios will help us get more broad knowledge.”

Recommended covering a wider range of medical cases and symptoms.

“The more variety of cases we can include, the better it will be for our learning.”