Patients interviewing — an effective method of forming social competencies of medical students

The professionalism of a doctor is determined not only by scientific knowledge, but also by high moral qualities. Aim is the formation of the social competencies of the students of the medical university, concerning the personal qualities of the doctor. The authors used a self-developed questionnaire, which included questions relating to patients' characteristics (gender, level of education, disease origin and its duration) and to attending physician (work experience, theoretical and practical skills, moral qualities). Material and Methods. Questioning of 100 patients of the rheumatologi-cal department of the State Regional Hospital of Saratov was performed by students of the Saratov Medical University. Results. The survey showed that most patients considered the moral qualities of a doctor to be very important and they determined the successful treatment of patients. The ineffectiveness of treatment is largely due to loss of confidence in doctor. Conclusion. Questioning of patients allowed students to be convinced of the importance of formation of high moral qualities of a doctor as they help mutual understanding of a doctor and a patient, increase treatment efficiency.