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FrancoAngeli Journals

Esperienze e pratiche

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): Transformative and innovative teaching processes in Higher Education: Fostering education for sustainability

An innovative project for the empowerment of soft skills in medicine. The experience of the University of Padua

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/exioa1-2025oa20585
Submitted
luglio 7, 2025
Published
2025-07-11

Abstract

The University of Padua has started an innovative project for the training and development of soft skills in the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery, recognizing their crucial role in the professionalization of future doctors. An exploration survey, conducted through a questionnaire, analysed students' perceived knowledge, importance and mastery of these skills. The survey revealed a mismatch between the relevance attributed by respondents and the actual level of acquisition, also bringing out differences related to the knowledge of the meaning of some soft skills. Results have been valued to design and introduce an innovative training path included within the apprenticeship for 5th year students of the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery, articulated in online and in-presence activities on the topics of communication, teamwork, leadership and followership. This proposal aims to reduce the gap between theory and practice by improving the readiness of doctors to face professional challenges with an integrated approach between technical and soft skills. The project is part of a broader process of educational innovation aimed at promoting a training that can handle the complexity of the contemporary medical environment and contribute to the sustainability and quality of the medical profession.

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