Predicting failing performance on a standardized patient clinical performance examination: the importance of communication and professionalism skills deficits.
BACKGROUND
The purpose is to determine which assessment measures identify medical students at risk of failing a clinical performance examination (CPX).


METHODS
Retrospective case-control, multiyear design, contingency table analysis, n = 149.


RESULTS
We identified two predictors of CPX failure in patient-physician interaction skills: low clerkship ratings (odds ratio 1.79, P = .008) and student progress review for communication or professionalism concerns (odds ratio 2.64, P = .002). No assessments predicted CPX failure in clinical skills.


CONCLUSIONS
Performance concerns in communication and professionalism identify students at risk of failing the patient-physician interaction portion of a CPX. This correlation suggests that both faculty and standardized patients can detect noncognitive traits predictive of failing performance. Early identification of these students may allow for development of a structured supplemental curriculum with increased opportunities for practice and feedback. The lack of predictors in the clinical skills portion suggests limited faculty observation or feedback.
Chang
Anna
A
Anna.Chang@ucsf.edu
Boscardin
Christy
C
Chou
Calvin L
CL
Loeser
Helen
H
Hauer
Karen E
KE
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies