title: Evaluating the effectiveness of communication skills training: a review of research.
abstract: This review considers the effectiveness of communication skills training programs within medical school settings. Several components of training are evaluated: microcounseling, standardized patients, role play, and videotape review. Overall, these interventions have been shown to be effective in improving targeted communication skills (ie, use of open-ended questions). However, outcome data that support the transfer of training to actual patient encounters and subsequent patient outcomes (ie, satisfaction, adherence) are lacking.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Henwood
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Altmaier
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012577:Schools, Medical