Focusing Feedback on Interpersonal Skills: A Workshop for Standardized Patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This resource provides empirically based methods for training standardized patients to deliver effective feedback on the communication skills demonstrated by health care providers. Since 1996, these methods have been used by experienced national, and international, standardized patient educators. Methods Designed to eliminate the need for further research and laborious preparation, the facilitator's guide was written to allow for easy and flexible presentation of a 3-hour training workshop of standardized patients. The guide is a 50-page document, divided into four parts, which easily leads the facilitator through the workshop step-by-step, using color-coded pages and large, easy-to-read type. The standardized patients' information is contained within this guide and is easily available for copying and distribution. Results The materials were originally developed by three professionals from medical, nursing, and allied health education, using the Dick Carey model of instructional design. The materials were pilot tested. Significant gains between pre- and postinstruction were found. Discussion Empirical and anecdotal evidence supports the effectiveness of the instruction. However, we are interested in receiving further feedback on the use of these materials. Users of this resource should complete and return the evaluation form in part four of the guide so that we may improve upon the design and add to the instruction.

Keywords

• SP
• Quality Feedback
• Constructive Feedback