Using patient simulators to teach clinical interviewing skills

Patient simulators were used in an interdisciplinary nutrition course to teach interviewing skills and demonstrate the interaction of medical, psychosocial, and economic factors in a team approach to nutritional care. Simulated interviews were videotaped and followed immediately by constructive feedback. Subsequent class discussion focused on the identification of patients' needs and the respective roles and contributions of members of an interdisciplinary team. Analysis of student evaluations indicated that they perceived the experience as an effective teaching/learning technique. Patient simulation can be sued to teach and evaluate students' interviewing and counseling skills. Further experimentation and research on its application to dietetic education are needed.