Developing
and using standardized video cases for assessment of communication skills
for pre-clinical medical students
R.L. Hulsman1, A.M. Hoos1, J.D.
Donnison-Speijer1
1Academic Medical Centre
ABSTRACT:
Assessment is as
important as teaching communication skills, for medical students to become
competent physicians. As outlined by Miller's pyramid (Acad. Med. 1990; 65:
S63-S67), clinical skills can be assessed at different levels, starting from
knowledge, to knows how, shows how and does. To obtain
a reliable and valid picture of the student’s clinical competencies, it is
generally recommended to use multiple judgments on more than one occasion, in
different contexts, rated by several judges, using different assessment
methods.
We developed a
computerized objective structured video examination (OSVE) to be able to assess
a large number of students simultaneously. In an OSVE students are presented
individually a number of standardized video cases on a computer, each followed
by short-essay questions that test the student's ability to recognize
adequately and poorly performed communication skills, to understand the
implications of these skills, and to offer alternative responses to enhance the
interaction.
An OSVE aims to
measure covert cognitive scripts underlying overt communication behaviour. The
idea that cognitive scripts direct communication behaviour is built on three
premises.
1. Medical
communication can be regarded as the performance of a complex task.
2. Skilful medical
communication is goal-oriented, problem-solving behaviour.
3. Cognitive schemata
or scripts facilitate the construction of interpretations of situations and
help to efficiently select a proper response.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
This demonstration
will allow participants to explore the benefits and limitations of standardized
video cases for assessment of communication skills. An assessment model will be
presented and discussed, based on Miller's pyramid. Next, starting from a
presented video and transcript, the participant will identify key communication
problems, point out solutions and required skills, develop questions within the
assessment model, and phrase model-answers. Finally, if sufficient time and
facilities are available, participants may be able to test their own setup
behind the computer.