MedEdPORTAL (Jun 2015)
Critical Synthesis Package: Liverpool Communication Skills Assessment Scale (LCSAS)
Abstract
Abstract This Critical Synthesis Package contains: (1) a Critical Analysis of the psychometric properties and the application to health science education of the Liverpool Communication Skills Assessment Scale (LCSAS), and (2) a copy of the LCSAS developed by Gerald Michael Humphris, PhD. The LCSAS is a 12-item measure designed to assess several aspects of communication skills in medical students using a standardized approach, and providing personalized feedback on observed communication skills. The measure was designed to be completed by an examiner during OCSEs and assesses five domains: Communication (including introductions), Nonverbal Behavior, Respect and Empathy, Questioning, and Giving Information. This paper-based observational measure uses a mixed-method of assessment, including both a numerical rating as well as written comments for each item. Each item has four separately defined rating categories (0 = unacceptable, 3 = good). A total score is calculated by summing the item scores; higher scores indicate better communication skills. Total scores range from 0-36. A strength of this measure is that the breadth of communication skills it assesses are largely reflected and identified in the literature. Additional assets include its brevity, and its items and response options being well-defined. Additionally, the measure can be completed by simulated patients, who are often used in medical education, though interrater reliability between simulated patients and examiners was moderate. Limitations of the measure include little detail on training related to completing the measure, and no information regarding the types of written feedback provided or how that feedback is used. Further, the assessments using this measure have been used in only one medical school. Future studies that test the measure within other samples would offer support in the use of this tool to assess communication skills over time in other populations, where these skills may be taught differently.
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