Differences in student learning depending on period of exercises in medical interview skills with simulated patients

Abstract

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Teikyo University offered a medical communication exercise to fifth-year students beginning in 2010. This exercise included simulated patients (SPs) to improve student communication skills in medical interviews. Some students who took the course completed clinical pharmacy training at community pharmacies and hospitals, while some had no experience. The authors analyzed student self-assessments based on the differences in practical experience with participatory SPs in medical communication education. The student self-evaluation scores were higher for students who obtained clinical experience before the course, especially with “communicating in a relaxed manner with patients,” “predicting the occurrence of side effects,” and “listening in detail to the patient symptoms,” compared to those who did not have any experience. In addition, the post-simulation reflection reports revealed that learning was better among those who had clinical training experience in empathizing with patients’ feelings, and that students learned better from the simulated medical interviews of their peers, than those without experience.