In order to understand the educational organization status of doctor-patient communication courses

114 medical colleges and universities of China were investigated

including course offerings

teaching methods and teacher condition. The survey showed that the ratio of offering doctor-patient communication courses was 64.9%

but only 51.3% courses were compulsory. The setting of class hours was arbitrary. The target objects were mainly concentrated on medical students before entering clinical practice and the large-class teaching was a main mode. The average number of teachers was three to four

half of whom were part-time teachers. Therefore

we suggest attaching great importance to doctor-patient communication course by setting it as a compulsory course

emphasizing the practicability of the course in teaching content

and properly handling the relationship between full-time teachers and part-time teachers.