BACKGROUND: Communication and interpersonal skills are important for effective patient care but are difficult to measure. Unannounced standardized patient encounters (USPEs) have the benefit of providing a standardized situation and provide a representation of usual care rather than best behavior, while also allowing for video recording without violating patient privacy. We conducted a feasibility pilot study to examine the use of videotaped USPEs in resident education of interpersonal and communication skills and specifically empathy. METHODS: This was a pilot study conducted at an urban community teaching hospital. About 16 first-year emergency medicine engaged in four videotaped USPEs during their normal clinical shifts during 1 academic year. All visible recording equipment was concealed from the residents. The standardized patients completed two assessment forms after each encounter to measure empathy. RESULTS: All 16 residents engaged in four videotaped USPEs for a total of 64 encounters. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of using USPEs for assessment of resident interpersonal and communication skills.
BACKGROUND: Communication and interpersonal skills are important for effective patient care but are difficult to measure. Unannounced standardized patient encounters (USPEs) have the benefit of providing a standardized situation and provide a representation of usual care rather than best behavior, while also allowing for video recording without violating patient privacy. We conducted a feasibility pilot study to examine the use of videotaped USPEs in resident education of interpersonal and communication skills and specifically empathy. METHODS: This was a pilot study conducted at an urban community teaching hospital. About 16 first-year emergency medicine engaged in four videotaped USPEs during their normal clinical shifts during 1 academic year. All visible recording equipment was concealed from the residents. The standardized patients completed two assessment forms after each encounter to measure empathy. RESULTS: All 16 residents engaged in four videotaped USPEs for a total of 64 encounters. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of using USPEs for assessment of resident interpersonal and communication skills.
Authors: Samantha R Hauff; Laura R Hopson; Eve Losman; Marcia A Perry; Monica L Lypson; Jonathan Fischer; Sally A Santen Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 3.451
Authors: Laura A Siminoff; Heather L Rogers; Allison C Waller; Sonja Harris-Haywood; Ronald M Esptein; Francesc Borrell Carrio; Gayle Gliva-McConvey; Daniel R Longo Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2011-03