Basic Medical Interviewing Facilitator and Student Guides

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This resource represents a small-group session during which students take turns interviewing a standardized patient (SP) with faculty and staff facilitators, in addition to a one-on-one interview with an SP. This exercise is primarily designed for first-year medical students, but can also be utilized by other early health professions students needing to learn the skills of a medical interview. Students participate first in the small-group medical interview process and then several months later complete the one-on-one interview. Methods The student preparation resources presented here were created to provide students with guidance on successfully completing two complementary communication skills SP encounters. We have also provided facilitators with the SP case materials associated with these two medical interviewing exercises which include the SP cases, training materials, and checklist. Results During the 2009–2010 academic year, 81% of students who completed our curriculum evaluation found the preparation materials presented either somewhat valuable or valuable and 93% of students felt that the objectives and expectations of the exercise were clear. Ninety-nine percent of students agreed or strongly agreed that it was helpful to receive feedback about their clinical skills from the SP, that the SP provided informative feedback, and that the SP was effective in portraying the patient. Discussion Despite all efforts to provide students with the necessary resources to be successful in their experience, there are some limitations to the information we are able to provide. Because medical interviewing is a very practical skill, there are students who will struggle with translating the written materials to actual practice. Additionally, it is important to recognize the amount of information students are able to internalize, ensuring any additional materials are vital to the exercise.

Keywords

• Interview
• History