Competence of medical students in history taking during the clinical course

Twelve students were selected from each of the three clinical undergraduate years, two from each year interviewing one of six simulated patients. The interviews were video recorded and scored by two clinicians on a rating system involving sixteen criteria. In addition to the expected differences between individual students, when the scores were placed in rank order a pattern of differences between years of study emerged. Students of the third clinical year performed better than those of first year and both were better than those of the intermediate second year. Junior students displayed more personal concern for the patients, while senior students tended to conduct a more controlled and structure interview.