title: An evaluation of the usefulness of the standardized patient methodology in the assessment of surgery residents' communication skills.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The overall objective of this study is to assess the usefulness of a standardized patient (SP) educational activity in the evaluation of surgery residents' communication skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a pre/post observational study on surgery residents' communication skills, attitudes, and self-perceptions after an educational activity with standardized patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scott & White Healthcare is a Central Texas-based non-profit integrated healthcare system with more than nine hospitals, 60 clinics, and a health plan. Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple is a Level-1 Trauma Center and the clinical site for the Texas A&M Health Science Center-College of Medicine in Temple, Texas.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 14 residents of the Texas A&M Health Science Center-College of Medicine/Scott & White General Surgery Residency Program participated in the SP education activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the activity, residents agreed more with the statements: "Communication skills are a learned behavior" and "Effective communication with patients is more difficult in high-stress situations." A significant increase in positive attitude toward physician-patient communication was measured in PGY3 and PGY-4 residents after the activity. However, there was no significant difference in residents' self-perceptions of communication skills after the activity. The residents believed the activity was somewhat useful, and feedback from the SPs was informative and helpful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, in a formative setting, the SP methodology was a useful methodology to assess surgery residents' patient communication. The use of this methodology might require specific curriculum integration that is appropriate to the year of postgraduate training. This study demonstrates how SPs can be integrated into a Surgery Residency curriculum for teaching and assessing communication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Education-Clinical Simulation Educational Research & Development, Scott and White Healthcare, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. hwehbejanek@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: Hania
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wehbe-Janek
authors.forename: Juhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shabahang
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires