In this pilot study, the effectiveness of two introductory courses in communication skills early in the undergraduate curriculum were evaluated in two groups of students. The objectives of the course were limited and focused on how to talk to distressed patients, in order to refer them on to another physician. One group was provided with a six-hour long course and the other with a one-week long course. The evaluation was carried out by the same two raters at two OSPE stations using the same case scenario played by the same simulated patient. Results showed no significant differences between the impact of the two courses as measured by four behavioural variables of performance.