Resident psychosocial performance: a brief report

This study investigated the psychosocial skills of 55 family practice residents conducting patient interviews in actual clinical settings. Results indicated that resident performance was at least adequate, demonstrating competence in basic interpersonal and medical interviewing skills on the majority of categories rated. However, residents performed less well in areas of greater psychosocial complexity, in particular in addressing the meaning or implications of illness with patients and families. Sex differences between male and female residents were also explored and in general found to be nonsignificant, although women residents tended to perform somewhat better in terms of empathy, open-ended questions, and reassurance.