[Difficult conversations in medicine: an experiential, optional course with medical students].

A 24 hrs optional course was realized with 15 students at the Medical School of Milan, with the aim of undertaking the management of the emotional aspects in a difficult communication in medicine. The course was realized through the use of active teaching tools; issues resulted from what literature consider as "difficult communication". Photolangage was used as pre-post test to assess the effects of the course; a satisfaction questionnaire was also used. From the content analysis of the data the course resulted effective both for the students' satisfaction and for the enhancing of their self reflective skills.