Application of standardized patients in training of communication skills in consultation for resident general practitioners

Objective To assess roles of standardized patients (SPs) in training of communication skills for resident general practitioners (GP). Methods Fifty-two resident GPs were trained for communication skills in consultation with SPs during May to July, 2008, including information feedback from SPs, lectures and group discussion coordinated by instructors on problems developed during residents' clinical encounters. Communication skills of the trainees with patients was assessed before and after training, respectively, including building physician-patient relationship, collecting information and providing feedback, understanding complaints from patients' perspective, sharing information and obtaining informed consents and closing consultation. Assessment was scored and proportion of trainees qualified for consultation with SPs were estimated. Results Total score of the trainees was higher after training than that before it (76 ± 13 vs. 49 ± 12, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and 86. 5 percent of them qualified for their communication skills after training, as compared to that of 15.4 percent before it. Proportions of the trainees qualified for building physician-patient relationship, collecting information and providing feedback, understanding complaints from patients' perspective, sharing information and obtaining informed consents during consultation were higher after training than those before it (90. 4% vs. 59. 6%, 65.4% vs. 5.8%, 38.5% vs. 11.5%, 86. 5% vs.17.3% and 65. 4% vs. 3. 9%, respectively, all P ＜0. 01 ). Scores of physician-patient communication in the trainees correlated with those of their consultation skills both before and after training ( r = 0. 55 and r =0. 63, both P ＜ 0. 01 ). Increase in scores of physician-patient communication and consultation skills in trainees after training also associated with that in those of clinical skills ( r = 0. 62, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusions Application of SPs can effectively enhance communication skill of resident general practitioners, thus improve their competencies in clinical consultation. Key words: Teaching;  Patient simulation;  Clinical competency