An analysis of standardised patient checklist errors and their effect on student scores.
BACKGROUND
The frequency and nature of standardised patient (SP) recording errors during clinical performance examinations (CPX) have an effect on case scores and ultimately on pass/fail decisions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of SP recording errors on case scores.


METHODS
Standardised patients completed checklists immediately after each encounter. To determine checklist accuracy, multiple reviewers developed a checklist key for each student encounter studied. The total errors, the net errors, the errors of commission and omission and error rates by competency skill were analysed.


RESULTS
The frequency of errors in history taking was greater than in physical examination, and the majority of errors were made in the students' favour. Summing the errors of commission and omission decreased the effect of total errors on student scores.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of SP recording accuracy are achievable. When errors occur, the net effect is usually in the students' favour.
Heine
Nancy
N
Clinical Skills Education Office, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, California 92350,USA. nheine@som.llu.edu
Garman
Karen
K
Wallace
Peggy
P
Bartos
Rebekah
R
Richards
Anita
A
D002140:California; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards*