Developing communication skills using standardized patients and structured assessments in medical education

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a course program in medical schools for communicationskills using the standardized patients both in training and assessment. The objectives of the study are as follows: a well- designed communication skills training model using standardized patients, a communication skills assessment scale for Turkey, a structured assessment model for communication skills, a world model for the communication skills training by means of context and technology. Materials and Methods: Phase I, II and III students of Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine were the subjects of the study. Descriptive statistics such as sums, percentages, averages and medians were used for the data gathered from surveys and feedback forms. ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were used to analyze the data gathered from performance evaluations. Results: At the end of the study, students perceptions of the communication skills training program were over 4 in Likert scale, the increase was statistically significant in the performances of students through the years, that meantthe program was efficacious. The interrater reliability coefficient of the assessment tool was calculated as 0.64. Conclusion: A national model for the training and assessment of communication skills in medical education was developed and proved to be efficacious and feasible.