Japan’s medical students, beginning next year, will be required to take an exam on how to deal with patients, the government announced. From the next academic year starting April 1, all fourth-year medical students at the nation’s 108 medical schools will have to take an exam on how to communicate with patients. If they fail the test, they may be prevented from moving on in their studies. Until now, Japanese doctors have not had to take any formal test on physician-patient relations, although most schools have been teaching the subject. By making the patient relation exam mandatory, the government hopes to improve patients’ trust in their doctors. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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