Multisource feedback analysis of pediatric outpatient teaching

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training
• Physician-Patient Interaction

Background:

• Evaluating medical students' outpatient communication skills is crucial for enhancing physician-patient relationships.
• Multisource feedback offers a comprehensive approach to assessing these skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the outpatient communication skills of medical students using multisource feedback.
• To identify specific areas for improvement in medical students' communication competence.

Main Methods:

• Video-recorded outpatient interactions of medical students were evaluated by patients' family respondents, nurses, clinical teachers, and research assistants.
• Multisource feedback questionnaires were used, alongside student self-assessments.

Main Results:

• High willingness and satisfaction were reported by family respondents (96.7% agreed to video recording).
• Students scored lowest in "giving recommendations" and "asking about life/school burden".
• Nurses' scores were higher, and students' self-assessments were lower than average across all domains.

Conclusions:

• Multisource feedback with video recording provides accurate evaluation of student communication competence.
• Targeted interventions are needed to enhance specific communication skills, particularly recommendations and inquiry into patients' lives.