Simulated Patients Research Articles

Training Undergraduates Skills in Breaking Bad News: How Students Value Educators\u2019 Feedback

Feedback is a key factor in acquiring breaking bad news (BBN) communication skills and its’ acceptance depends on the perceived credibility of the provider. Our aim was to investigate students’ opinions on the provided feedback by different educators (surgeons, psychologists, and simulated patient (SP)) during BBN skills training. We developed a questionnaire investigating provided feedback by the surgeon, psychologist, and SP (yes or no statements), regarding (1) perceived safety of the atmosphere, (2) perceived positive feedback, (3) perceived specific feedback, and (4) perceived usefulness for improvement during BBN skills training. Five hundred twenty students returned the questionnaire after BBN skills training. Most students rated the feedback as positive, specific, and useful. Also, the atmosphere was considered safe. Feedback ratings of the SP were the same as for the surgeon and valued higher than for the psychologist. An unsafe atmosphere, or not receiving positive, specific, or useful feedback was mostly related to the psychologist’s feedback. Feedback on BBN skills training by surgeons and SPs is rated equally helpful by students and is regarded specific, useful, and positive. When designing a BBN training, it is worth to consider involving SP’s as well as clinicians.

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Model for Continuous Quality Improvement of an Established Simulated Patient Program.

To describe the use of a continuous quality improvement process for strengthening our simulated patient (SP) program and the initial steps that have been implemented. A workgroup that included five clinical faculty with significant experience working with SPs and a strong interest in improving the SP program was developed. The Plan-Do-Study-Act model was used as it allowed for incremental quality improvement changes, in order to ensure a high-quality SP program designed to optimize student learning. Data were gathered from students, SPs, and faculty. Opportunities for improvement were prioritized based on anticipated benefits and available resources. Changes related to planning, implementation, and evaluation and feedback have been executed. Changes related to planning that were implemented included developing handbooks for SPs, faculty, and graduate student instructors, as well as material for students in order to better describe the program. SPs are now referred to as "simulated" as opposed to "standardized" as part of a broader effort to clarify the purpose of SP interactions to students. Streamlined rubrics have been piloted, including electronic rubrics for first year students. SPs are being trained on fewer cases, in order to improve the training program. When possible, activities now take place in one large classroom instead of many small classrooms to improve oversight. Finally, additional feedback has been obtained from SPs via a retreat. These changes have been well received by students, SPs, and faculty. The collection of this data and initial quality improvement changes provided a basis for hiring a full-time employee who will: dedicate 50% of their time to programmatic assessment of the SP program, support faculty with logistics and training, and be the face of our program to the students and SPs. Further, formal quantitative and qualitative assessment of the SP program has begun.

Evaluating the Use of Teach-Back in Simulation Training to Improve Discharge Communication Practices of Undergraduate Nursing Students

BackgroundThis study evaluates the effectiveness of information- and interaction-based training interventions to improve nurses' communication skills during the discharge of a patient. MethodA quasi-experimental control group design was applied. Students demonstrated their discharge skills with simulated patients (SPs) in three randomly assigned groups namely control, information-, and interaction-based intervention. An independent group multivariate analyses of variance was used for analysis of both the quality of discharge content and delivery across groups using student, SP, and faculty assessor ratings. ResultsSignificant incremental improvements in student communication skills were achieved in the interaction and information groups compared with the control group. ConclusionA structured curriculum including high-fidelity simulation, with SPs providing feedback and evaluating students' information- and interaction-based communication skills, is useful in improving student discharge practices and “patients'” understanding of discharge instructions.

Blurred boundaries: sexuality and power in standardised patients\u2019 negotiations of the physical examination

BackgroundWorking with standardised or simulated patients (SPs) is now commonplace in Simulated Learning Environments. Embracing the fact that they are not a homogenous group, some literature suggests expansion of learning with SPs in health professional education by foregrounding their personal experiences. Intimate examination teaching, whether with or without the help of SPs, is protected by a particular degree of ceremony given the degree of potential vulnerability. However, other examinations may be equally intrusive for example the close proximity of an eye examination or a chest examination in a female patient. In this study, we looked at SPs’ experiences of boundary crossing in any examinations, sensitised by Foucault’s concept of the clinical gaze. We wished to problematise power relations that construct and subject SPs as clinical tools within simulation-based education.MethodsWe collected data from 22 SPs, through five focus groups. Analysis was an iterative process, using thematic analysis. Data collection and reflexive analysis continued iteratively until concepts were fully developed and all theoretical directions explored.ResultsStudents and SPs construct simulated teaching consultations by negotiating the unequal distribution of power between them. The SPs themselves discussed how they, perhaps unknowingly, acted in accordance with the discourse of the clinical gaze. However, SPs became disempowered when students deviated from the negotiated terms of consent and they used their agency to resist this. The SPs used strong sexual metaphors to express the subjugation they experienced, as discourses of sexuality and gender played out in the Simulated Learning Environment.ConclusionWe demonstrate that power dynamics and the clinical gaze can have important consequences within the Simulated Learning Environment. Every physical examination can be potentially ‘intimate’ and can therefore be underpinned by discourses of sexuality and gendered undertones. In partnership with SPs, simulation-based education should create a teaching space that no longer fosters the discourse of the clinical gaze but facilitates students to learn to reflectively navigate, in the moment, the fine line between touching patients versus touching loved ones, and the blurred boundaries that exist in the gulf between sexual contact and benevolent touch.

P011: Performance of emergency department nurses in evaluating a simulated patient with alcohol withdrawal syndrome following an education curriculum

Introduction: The optimal management of emergency department (ED) patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) includes a symptom driven approach with scheduled reassessments using a standardized scoring system (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised; CIWA-Ar) and treatments according to symptom severity. The subjective nature of the CIWA-Ar, and lack of standardized competency-based education related to alcohol withdrawal results in widely variable treatment. The objective of this study was to perform a summative evaluation of clinical staff during the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of a simulated patient (SP) with AWS. Methods: The AWS education curriculum was completed by all staff nurses in our ED (mandatory for full-time, optional to part-time staff). It was based on a real clinical scenario depicting moderate alcohol withdrawal and portrayed by a single SP. Prior to the OSCE, participants attended a seminar orienting them to the simulation. Each participant was asked to do a complete assessment of the SP, and graded for completeness on 37 individual components of history/physical exam, including the 10 domains of the CIWA-Ar. Results: 74 participants completed the educational curriculum over 8 weeks. At least 9/10 domains of the CIWA-Ar assessment were completed by 65 (88%) of participants, and 28 (38%) correctly assessed at least 80% of all summative evaluation components. 63 (85%) participants correctly identified the need for treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Only 13 (18%) participant assessments exactly matched our exact target CIWA-Ar score of 15, however 61% were within 2 points on the CIWA-Ar scale. In only 4 (5%) instances would a participant have inappropriately rated AWS severity below the treatment threshold. 62/72 (86%) participants rated the SP tremor as 2-4 (intended tremor =3). Clinical features most often overlooked were history of other addictions (25 participants, 33%) and history of liver disease (15 participants, 20%). Conclusion: The majority of participants in this OSCE correctly assessed the important elements in the assessment of AWS, and diagnosed the SP as having moderate alcohol withdrawal. Thus our educational intervention resulted in 85% of participants properly identifying the severity of AWS, and developing an appropriate treatment strategy. The impact of this curriculum on actual patient treatment requires further evaluation.

Doctor-Patient Communication Training in Simulated Situations: Emotions and Perceptions of Simulated Patients during Patient-Centered Conversations

The use of simulated patients (SPs) for doctor-patient communication training has been established in medical curricula as an important didactic method. The study addresses the question, if patients' emotions and perceptions are represented adequately in patient-centered communication. 22 of 37 SPs of the Medical University of Vienna (12 women, 10 men) were asked openly about their feelings after having acted as an SP in a semi-structured interview, which employed the Critical Incident Technique. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, separated into situational analysis units und analyzed deductively; we used the evidence based qualities of patient-centered communication and the "Nationaler Kompetenzbasierter Lernzielkatalog Medizin" as a guideline. Out of 192 analysis units, 67 were evaluated as positive and 125 as negative. The SPs reported positive feelings, such as perceiving "stability and trust in relationships" (22%), perception of congruence (15%), acceptance (27%) and empathy (36%). As to negative feelings, SPs reported "perceiving instability" (18%), "incongruence" (11%), "lack of acceptance" (40%) and "lack of empathy" (30%). Additionally, 50% of SPs were positively affected when observing students' learning success. When SPs perceived patient-centered communication, they reported positive emotions. A lack of patient centeredness, on the contrary, provoked negative emotions. An empathic attitude, as well as a "lack of acceptance" with contrary effects had the strongest influence on the SPs' mental state. The reaction of SPs to patient centeredness is sufficiently authentic to reach learning objectives, however it is also affected by reactions of SPs to the learning success of students, which is irrelevant for the real-life doctor-patient interaction. SP reactions are affected by students' attitudes. Students should therefore be prepared well before interacting with SPs in a roleplay setting. While SPs' behavior is authentic in patient-centered communication in general, SPs should be trained to hide their positive emotions concerning students' learning success during roleplay.

Medical Students’ Recognition and Response to Clinical Deterioration in Simulated Patient Scenarios

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. IntroductionThe recognition and initial response of clinical teams to patients who suffer a deterioration in their condition is an essential capability of healthcare institutions. Simulation can provide some of this training, but creating appropriate 'cues' for recognising unwell patients can be challenging. We aimed to investigate how medical students recognise whether a patient is 'sick', and what they do in response to that recognition, using scenarios of clinically deteriorating simulated patients.MethodsSenior medical students at Bond University participating in simulation scenarios were invited to participate in this study. Scenarios were delivered with simulated patients (SPs). During the post simulation debrief and in subsequent interviews, students were asked questions related to their recognition of, and response to, sick 'patients' in their scenarios. Debriefing sessions involving the students were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis of responses was conducted.ResultsResults suggest that verbal and non-verbal cues from SPs were the most significant influence on student's recognition of clinical deterioration. Responses to that recognition were varied, but calling for help was perceived by the students to be an effective response.ConclusionEffective simulation training for medical students to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration requires scenarios that offer strong cues in patient appearance, speech and behaviour, and suggests that human simulated patients are effective educators for this purpose.

Alice's Delirium: A Theatre-based Simulation Scenario for Nursing.

As an educational methodology, simulation has been used by nursing education at the academic level for numerous years and has started to gain traction in the onboarding education and professional development of practicing nurses. Simulation allows the learner to apply knowledge and skills in a safe environment where mistakes and learning can happen without an impact on patient safety. The development of a simulation scenario to demonstrate the benefits of simulation education methodologies to a large group of nurse educators was requested by nursing education leadership at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). Since the demonstration of this scenario in the fall of 2016, there has been significant uptake and adaptation of this particular scenario within the nursing education departments of TOH. Originally written to be used with a simulated patient (SP), “Alice” has since been adapted to be used with a hi-fidelity manikin within an inpatient surgery department continuing professional development (CPD) program for practicing nurses, orientation for nurses to a level 2 trauma unit and at the corporate level of nursing orientation using an SP. Therefore, this scenario is applicable to nurses practicing in an area of inpatient surgery at varying levels, from novice to expert. It could easily be adapted for use with medicine nursing education programs. The case presented in this technical report is of the simulation scenario used for the inpatient surgery CPD program. Varying adaptations of the case are included in the appendices.

Medical communication: the views of simulated patients.

Simulated patients (SPs) are extensively used in the teaching of medical communication, both for students and doctors. They occupy a unique middle ground between patients and physicians: although free from the prejudices that medical training brings, they work closely with clinical tutors to promote the principles of patient-centred consulting. Despite this, there is relatively little research around their views on what makes for good communication practice. This study aims to address this gap in the literature through a qualitative analysis of SPs' opinions, especially in the context of medical student communication. Eighteen SPs from two medical schools, Hull York Medical School and Durham, were interviewed, using an in-depth, one-to-one, semi-structured approach. Data, transcribed verbatim, were thematically analysed. Three global themes were identified: (i) listening and empathy and showing it, (ii) continual human connection and (iii) information flow from the patient. These three themes, termed the communication triad, form a type of virtuous circle, each facilitating the other. Listening and empathy were facilitated through attributes, including attentive non-verbal communication, and through responding to cues, including making effective empathetic statements. Continual human connection was facilitated through successful beginnings, including preferring open questions to 'robotic' tick-list questions and allowing patients time to have their say. Mirroring, professional appearance, appropriate physical contact and a human approach were amongst other factors facilitating connection with patients. Information flow was encouraged by factors including showing an interest in the patient and use of silence; flow was curtailed by undesirable attributes, including interrupting, dismissive communication and making assumptions about aspects such as sexuality. This first in-depth study of SPs' views on medical consulting identifies a communication triad that both affirms and builds on the current literature base. Five novel teaching points emerge, with clear relevance for best practice communication teaching and curricula design.

Simulated Interprofessional Education Discharge Planning Meeting to Improve Skills Necessary for Effective Interprofessional Practice.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) discharge planning learning experience using simulated patients (SPs), to explore the ability for students to communicate with each other and to a patient/caregiver, and to use clinical thinking to make a safe and appropriate interprofessional discharge recommendation. Educational institution; university simulation center. A Sim-IPE was performed with students from physical therapy (N = 46), nursing (N = 25), and social work (N = 11). Students were placed into interprofessional teams. Presimulation, each student was expected to complete a survey and review several items including the patient case, a communication strategy, and community resources. The team then interacted with SPs portraying the patient and the family member. Postsimulation, facilitators led a debriefing session and students completed a post-IPE survey. The Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey (ICCAS) was completed pre- and postexperience. Most students reported that they strongly or somewhat agreed that the experience improved their clinical thinking skills (67%; n = 55), improved awareness of the patient voice in shared decision-making (72.8%; n = 59), improved ability to prioritize patient's list of impairments (75.3%; n = 61), and improved confidence with discharge planning (69.1%; n = 56). Discharge planning is inherently an interprofessional process. Utilizing a simulation as a method to practice discharge planning may have a positive impact on future clinical practice. Completing the ICCAS may not be the appropriate assessment when evaluating change before and after an IPE experience based on the high scores noted preexperience. The use of a simulated discharge planning meeting may improve skills necessary for effective interprofessional practice.

The learning effects of different presentations of worked examples on medical students’ breaking-bad-news skills: A randomized and blinded field trial

ObjectivesEffective instructional approaches are needed to enable undergraduates to optimally prepare for the limited training time they receive with simulated patients (SPs). This study examines the learning effects of different presentation formats of a worked example on student SP communication. MethodsSixty-seven fourth-year medical students attending a mandatory communication course participated in this randomized field trial. Prior to the course, they worked through an e-learning module that introduced the SPIKES protocol for delivering bad news to patients. In this module, a single worked example was presented to one group of students in a text version, to a second group in a video version, and to a third group in a video version enriched with text hints denoting the SPIKES steps. ResultsThe video-with-hints group broke bad news to SPs significantly more appropriately than either of the other groups. Although no further condition-related effects were revealed, students who learned from the text version most frequently (although non-significantly) ignored unpleasant emotions (standardised emotional cues and concerns) expressed by the SPs. ConclusionsThe learning effect was strongest when the video-based worked example was accompanied by hints. Practice implicationsVideo-related learning approaches that embed attention-guiding hints can effectively prepare undergraduates for SP encounters.

Effect of Simulated Patient Practice on the Self-Efficacy of Japanese Undergraduate Dietitians in Nutrition Care Process Skills

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of an adapted simulated patient (SP) intervention on self-efficacy in nutrition care process skills. DesignA repeated-measures design using a 25-item survey divided into 7 nutrition professional practice competencies (PPCs) employing a 5-point self-efficacy scale (1 = lowest to 5 = highest) administered immediately before and after the intervention. SettingA private Japanese university. ParticipantsNinety Japanese third-year dietetics undergraduates aged 20–38 years. InterventionAn adapted SP activity practicing nutrition care process skills for the infirm elderly population. Main Outcome MeasuresPre- to postintervention self-efficacy response scores and feedback. AnalysisMean preintervention survey scores were used to divide participants into statistical quartiles (Q1 indicated lowest mean scores and Q3, highest mean scores). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared each PPC's pre- and postintervention means. Kruskal-Wallis tests examined changes in quartiles' scores within each PPC. ResultsSelf-efficacy improved significantly in PPCs relating to application of appropriate medical ethics and interpersonal skills (P = .02), appropriate nutrition assessment (P = .04), and creation of a nutrition management plan and nutrition intervention (P = .03). Self-efficacy of Q1 and Q2 rose significantly in most PPCs, although not for acting as a dietitian within a medical care team, whereas that of Q3 decreased for all PPCs. Conclusions and ImplicationsAmong initially low self-efficacy dietetics undergraduates, the SP intervention enhanced self-efficacy in 3 of the 6 PPCs practiced directly and may facilitate more realistic self-views among initially high self-efficacy students. However, further research in the design, implementation, and efficacy of this type of training is recommended to gauge its effects on the quality of related professional practice.

Evaluation of clinical communication skills in medical students with simulated patients

Background: Communication skills are not learnt innately. It is therefore necessary to both train and evaluate medical students in this area. Aim: To evaluate communication skills of fourth-year medical students with the use of a simulated patient (SP). Material and Methods: Four clinical scenarios (CS) for clinical interviews with simulated patients were designed: chronic and acute diseases, difficult and functional patients. Each student performed the four CS, and his communication skills were evaluated using our own questionnaire as agreed with the SP. The questionnaire included items on verbal and nonverbal communication, warmth, respect, specificity, assertiveness and empathy (rated from 0 to 10). The response variable was the arithmetic mean of the scores on each item. All students received a detailed evaluation report. Results: Sixty one students (32 men) performing 244 interviews, were evaluated. The overall mean score was 7.87 (4.62 to 9.03). The highest scores were for respect and specificity (7.57 and 7.15 respectively). The lowest were for empathy and nonverbal communication (6.44 and 6.84 respectively). The CS evaluations were 7.87 (chronic disease), 7.02 (difficult patient), 6.46 (acute disease) and 6.14 (functional pathology). Women had higher overall scores compared to men (7.26 and 6.51 respectively; p <0.01) and a significantly higher score in all communication variables (p <0.01). Conclusions: The overall assessment in clinical communication with SP is satisfactory although there is room for improvement, especially in empathy and nonverbal communication. Women had significantly higher scores than men.

Improving Perinatology Residents' Skills in Breaking Bad News: A Randomized Intervention Study.

Breaking bad news (BBN) is particularly difficult in perinatology. Previous research has shown that BBN skills can be learned and improved when taught and practiced. This project evaluated whether a structured training session would enhance perinatology residents' skills in BBN. This was a randomized controlled intervention study with year 1 to 4 Perinatology residents from a medical school in Brazil, during the 2014/15 school year. A total of 61 out of 100 (61%) eligible residents volunteered to a structured training program involving communicating a perinatal loss to a simulated patient (SP) portraying the mother followed by the SP's immediate feedback, both video recorded. Later, residents were randomly assigned to BBN training based on a setting, perception, invitation, knowledge, emotion and summary (SPIKES) strategy with video reviews (intervention) or no training (control group). All residents returned for a second simulation with the same SP blinded to the intervention and portraying a similar case. Residents' performances were then evaluated by the SP with a checklist. The statistical analysis included a repeated measures analysis of covariance (RM-ANCOVA). Complementarily, the residents provided their perceptions about the simulation with feedback activities. Fifty-eight residents completed the program. The simulations lasted on average 12 minutes, feedback 5 minutes and SPIKES training between 1h and 2h30m. There was no significant difference in the residents' performances according to the SPs' evaluations (p = 0.55). The participants rated the simulation with feedback exercises highly. These educational activities might have offset SPIKES training impact. The SPIKES training did not significantly impact the residents' performance. The residents endorsed the simulation with feedback as a useful training modality. Further research is needed to determine which modality is more effective.

Management of minor ailments in a community pharmacy setting: Findings from simulated visits and qualitative study in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Community pharmacy professionals are being widely accepted as sources of treatment and advice for managing minor ailments, largely owing to their location at the heart of the community. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to document the involvement of community pharmacy professionals in the management of minor ailments and perceived barriers that limit their provision of such services. Simulated patient (SP) visits combined with a qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among community pharmacy professionals in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Scenarios of three different minor ailments (uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection, back pain and acute diarrhea) were selected and results were reported as percentages. Pharmacy professionals were also interviewed about the barriers in the management of minor ailments. Out of 66 simulated visits, 61 cases (92.4%) provided one or more medications to the SPs. Pharmacy professionals in 16 visits asked SPs information on details of symptoms and past medical and medication history. Ibuprofen alone or in combination with paracetamol was the most commonly dispensed analgesics for back pain. Oral rehydration fluid (ORS) with zinc was the most frequently dispensed medication (33.3%) for the management of acute diarrhea followed by mebendazole (23.9%). Moreover, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid capsule (35%) followed by Amoxicillin (25%) were the most commonly dispensed antibiotics for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Lack of clinical training and poor community awareness towards the role of community pharmacists in the management of minor ailments were the main barriers for the provision of minor ailment management by community pharmacy professionals. Overall, community pharmacists provided inadequate therapy for the simulated minor ailments. Lack of access to clinical training and poor community awareness were the most commonly cited barriers for providing such services. So as to improve community pharmacists’ involvement in managing minor ailments and optimize the contribution of pharmacists, interventions should focus on overcoming the identified barriers.

Simulated patient and role play methodologies for communication skills training in an undergraduate medical program: Randomized, crossover trial.

Educators utilize real patients, simulated patients (SP), and student role play (RP) in communication skills training (CST) in medical curricula. The chosen modality may depend more on resource availability than educational stage and student needs. In this study, we set out to determine whether an inexpensive volunteer SP program offered an educational advantage compared to RP for CST in preclinical medical students. Students and volunteer SPs participated in interactions across two courses. Students allocated to SP interactions in one course participated in RP in the other course and vice versa. Audio recordings of interactions were made, and these were rated against criterion descriptors in a modified Calgary-Cambridge Referenced Observation Guide. Independent t-test scores comparing ratings of RP and SP groups revealed no significant differences between methodologies. This study demonstrates that volunteer SPs are not superior to RP, when used in CST targeted at preclinical students. This finding is consistent with existing literature, yet we suggest that it is imperative to consider the broader purpose of CST and the needs of stakeholders. Consequently, it may be beneficial to use mixed methods of CST in medical programs.

Hybrid simulation training: An effective teaching and learning modality for intrauterine contraceptive device insertion.

Hybrid simulation training (HST) is a teaching modality that combines patient interaction using simulated patient (SP) with pelvic model. This provides realism to learners, lacking in manikins alone. This study was designed to compare knowledge, procedural, and communication skills of medical students regarding intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion before and after introducing HST and to assess learner satisfaction with this methodology. This quasi-experimental mixed-method study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from October 2016 to September 2017, for third-year medical students (n = 90). IUCD insertion was introduced to students through interactive session and provision of literature/video clip on IUCD insertion. Students were pretested on objectively structured clinical examination -station (IUCD insertion) using SP and manikin simultaneously. This was followed by practice on manikin and subsequent posttest on same OSCE-station. Learner evaluation of activity was through validated pro forma with both, Likert scale and open-ended questions. Out of the 90 students, 73 completed pre/posttest and evaluation survey. There was significant increase in pre- and post-simulation mean scores for all clinical skills; history taking (5.1 pretest, 8.8 posttest, P ≤ 0.0005), counseling (40.11 pretest, 57.85 posttest, P ≤ 0.0005), procedural (15.16 pretest, 49.09 posttest, P ≤ 0.0005) and total scores (60 pretest, 115.6 posttest, P ≤ 0.0005), when compared using two-sided Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Overall, activity was assessed as "very good" to "excellent" by 83.5% participants. Themes generated from open-ended questions of evaluation forms were "Process-descriptors," "Teaching-utility," "Pedagogic-efficacy" and "Way-forward." HST is an effective teaching strategy with potential to improve competency of medical students. Students acknowledged it, as innovative learning strategy that increased their satisfaction and confidence in performing IUCD insertion.

Simulated Patient (SP) methodology for communication training in any discipline

Introduction: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Standardized Patient (SP) Program has assisted with communication skills training in medical and other health science departments since 2002. We will explore how the realism of training interpersonal communication skills with Simulated/Standardized Patient (SP) “role play” can enhance the quality and versatility of any communication-based evaluation or training in health and a variety of other environments. Description: Since the early 1960s, collaborations with the dramatic arts have been leveraged in “educational acting” within medical schools around the world. Formal programs that employ SPs to teach and test interpersonal skills using educational “role play” techniques are now common. An SP is defined as “a person trained to consistently portray a patient or other individual in a scripted scenario for the purposes of instruction, practice, or evaluation”. SP methodology is a powerful tool to utilize when training objectives relate to the understanding of individual perspectives, cultural, technical and professional behaviors.Program Results: Initially formed to support the School of Medicine, the desire for collaborative and interprofessional learning has expanded our program’s scope to include seven other health sciences within the University. As interpersonal communication skills have been shown to improve patient-centric care and customer satisfaction, this training provides experiential practice and measurable outcomes of these foundational skills. Implications: As all disciplines move more towards improving the experience of the “consumer”, an increased concern with end user satisfaction is essential. The transferability of SP methodology is applicable across many fields, including Law, Business and Social Work among other programs. Continued collaboration has significant potential for training professionals in all disciplines.

Interventions to enhance effective communication during over-the-counter consultations in the community pharmacy setting: A systematic review.

Easy access to effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatments allows self-management of some conditions, however inappropriate or incorrect supply or use of OTC medicines can cause harm. Pharmacy personnel should support consumers in their health-seeking behaviour by utilising effective communication skills underpinned by clinical knowledge. To identify interventions targeted towards improving communication between consumers and pharmacy personnel during OTC consultations in the community pharmacy setting. Systematic review and narrative analysis. Databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psycinfo, Cochrane Central Register and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for literature published between 2000 and 30 October 2014, as well as reference lists of included articles. The search was re-run on 18 January 2016 and 25 September 2017 to maximise the currency. Two reviewers independently screened retrieved articles for inclusion, assessed study quality and extracted data. Full publications of intervention studies were included. Participants were community pharmacy personnel and/or consumers involved in OTC consultations. Interventions which aimed to improve communication during OTC consultations in the community pharmacy setting were included if they involved a direct measurable communication outcome. Studies reporting attitudes and measures not quantifiable were excluded. The protocol was published on Prospero Database of Systematic Reviews. Of 4978 records identified, 11 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions evaluated were: face-to-face training sessions (n = 10); role-plays (n = 9); a software decision making program (n = 1); and simulated patient (SP) visits followed by immediate feedback (n = 1). Outcomes were measured using: SP methodology (n = 10) and a survey (n = 1), with most (n = 10) reporting a level of improvement in some communication behaviours. Empirical evaluation of interventions using active learning techniques such as face-to-face training with role-play can improve some communication skills. However interventions that are not fully described limit the ability for replication and/or generalisability. This review identified interventions targeting pharmacy personnel. Future interventions to improve communication should consider the consumer's role in OTC consultations.

Development of a New Scholastic Program for Medication Counseling Practice in Preclinical Training, Constructed for Junior Students by Senior Students Based on Their Experiences of On-site Practice

Long-term practical on-site training, based on the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmaceutical Education, is a core program of the 6-year course of pharmaceutical education, introduced in Japan in 2010. In particular, medication counseling in practical training in 5th-year provides valuable opportunities for communication with real patients rather than simulated patients (SPs). However, it can also cause anxiety in 4th-year students before practical training. To address such concerns, upperclassmen (5th- and 6th-year students), who have already completed practical training, constructed and conducted a new educational program for medication counseling practice in preclinical training based on their experiences. They also developed case scenarios and played the role of patients themselves to create more realistic clinical settings. Advice from professional SPs was also provided. The 5-step program is composed of 1st counseling, 1st small group discussion (SGD) for improving counseling, 2nd revised counseling based on the 1st SGD, 2nd SGD, and development of a counseling plan and presentation. Educational effects of the program were evaluated by questionnaire survey after preclinical training in 4th-year students and after their practical training in 5th-year students. This new program, the Advanced Medication Counseling Practice, was found to be useful to reduce anxiety about communication with patients among 4th-year students (about 90%). Even after their practical training in 5th-year, they still appreciated usefulness of this program (about 80%). This program is still valued 4 years after its development. We developed the Advanced Medication Counseling Practice in preclinical training for junior students by senior students.