Objective To know the residents' attitude, ability and influencing factors of communication with patients, and to help the residents to master doctor-patient communication skills.Methods There were 163 residents and graduate students (hereinafter referred to as residents) who participated in standardized training were selected from the Second Clinical College of Anhui Medical University. They were investigated by filling anonymous questionnaires and using the communication skills attitude scale (CSAS). To understand and assess the residents' attitudes towards doctor-patient communication skills, the ability of doctor-patient communication, and the factors that influence their communication attitudes and abilities.Results The two major factors that some residents think will affect the relationship between doctors and patients are mainly external image and personal cultivation. Nearly half of the residents believe that the current doctor-patient relationship is relatively tight. Most residents attribute the problem of doctor-patient communication problems to medical services. There is no time and effort for busy people. Positive attitude subscale (PAS) score (51.44±7.72); negative attitude subscale (NAS) score (34.99±7.75). The results of PAS univariate analysis showed that the difference in the scores of residents, whether they come from the “one child family”, whether they loved their majors, whether they were confident to become qualified doctors, and the level of interpersonal communication skills were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Conclusions Hospital administrators need to reduce the workload of residents, enhance their professional confidence, and help residents to master the ways and skills of interpersonal communication, to enhance the enthusiasm of residents to learn the communication between doctors and patients, and improve the ability of doctor-patient communication.