Developing communication skills in pharmacy: a systematic review of the use of simulated patient methods.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature relating to the use of simulated patient methods to enhance communication skills of pharmacists.


METHODS
We searched Embase, Lilacs, Medline, Scielo, and Scopus databases between 1980 and 2008, using "communication skills", "patient counseling" and "pharmacist" as keywords. This search was then further refined by using "simulated patients", "pseudo-customer", "standardized patients", and "mystery shoppers" as additional keywords.


RESULTS
The initial search identified 241 published studies. Once further refined, 15 studies met inclusion criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of studies had an assessment focus aimed at documenting counseling behavior of practicing pharmacists, rather than an educational focus aimed at equipping pharmacists with effective communication skills. In instances where simulated patient methods were used for educational purposes, little regard was given to the role of performance and corrective feedback in shaping communication behavior of pharmacists. The majority of studies failed to describe the competencies and skills being investigated in relation to communication in the practice of pharmacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Simulated patient methods provide pharmacy educators with a tool for implementing communication skills in the practice of pharmacy and will serve as a basis for implementing communication skills development programs at the College of Pharmacy of the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil.
Mesquita
Alessandra R
AR
Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Social Pharmacy (LEPFS), Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil. alessandra_pharmacia@hotmail.com
Lyra
Divaldo P
DP
Brito
Giselle C
GC
Balisa-Rocha
Blcie J
BJ
Aguiar
Patrcia M
PM
de Almeida Neto
Abilio C
AC
D003142:Communication; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D010594:Pharmacies; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods