Advanced Communication Skills Cases

Abstract

Abstract These problem-based learning (PBL) cases are designed to enhance the communication skills of health care professional students by providing them an opportunity to interact with a standardized patient (SP) on various advanced topics. These cases are intended to build on basic history taking skills that students have already acquired. Topics addressed in the cases include: patient with medically unexplained physical symptoms, facilitating a triadic interview, patient with non-adherence issues, advance directives, sexual history taking, and domestic violence. These scenarios have been used with second-year medical students in a doctoring course. The sessions allow a safe environment for students to practice communication skills on patients with complicated health issues. The interactions with the standardized patients allow for dynamic discussions about different approaches to talking with patients. The students are given immediate feedback on their techniques by the facilitator, colleagues, and the standardized patients. Students who complete these sessions are often more comfortable talking to patients and reflecting on their own experiences. Small-group student evaluations have averaged 4.4 (on a 5-point Likert scale) over the last 3 years. Some qualitative student feedback includes: “The small group cases were fertile learning experiences and I consider the practice I got in role-playing and watching others role play difficult interviewing scenarios to be the most valuable instruction that I've received,” and “Learning to interview patients is a wonderful and essential skill.”

Keywords

• Communication
• Medical Education
• PBL
• SP
• Standardized Patient
• Ethics