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Published on: August 1, 2019
Standardized patient-narrated web-based learning modules improve students' communication skills on a high-stakes
Christina A Lee1, Anna Chang, Calvin L Chou
1Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA. christinaaudreylee@gmail.com
Background:
Use of web-based standardized patient (SP) modules is associated with improved medical student history-taking and physical examination skills on clinical performance examinations (CPX), but a benefit for communication skills has not been shown.
Aim:
We describe an innovative web-based SP module using detailed SP and faculty commentary to teach communication skills.
Setting:
A public medical school in 2008-2009.
Participants:
Fourth-year medical students.
Program Description:
A 90-minute web-based module with three simulated clinical encounters was narrated by an expert clinician and SP to explain expected history-taking, physical examination, and communication skills behaviors. All 147 students were encouraged to review the module one month before the CPX.
Program Evaluation:
One hundred and six students (72%) viewed the web-based module. Students who watched the module performed significantly higher on the CPX communication score (+2.67%, p < 0.01) and overall score (+2.12%, p = 0.03), even after controlling for USMLE Step 1 and clerkship summary ratings. Use of the module did not significantly affect history/physical examination scores (+1.89%, p = 0.12).
Discussion:
Students who watched an optional web-based SP module prior to the CPX performed higher than those who did not on communication skills. The web-based module appears to be an effective CPX preparatory activity to enhance communication performance.
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