title: Using the Patient Centered Observation Form: Evaluation of an online training program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Patient Centered Observation Form (PCOF) helps trainees identify and describe specific communication skills and enhance self-awareness about skill use. We studied the effectiveness and ease of use of the Improving Communication Assessment Program (ICAP), an online module that prepares trainees to use the PCOF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students, residents and medical educators viewed two videos (common and better skill use) of the same interaction and rated each video using the PCOF. Video sequence was randomized. We assessed agreement with experts, ease of use, concepts learned, and areas of confusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trainees (211) achieved strong agreement (.83) with experts and were highly satisfied (mean 4.18 out of 5). Viewing the common video first produced higher agreement (.87 vs .79; ES=.4) with experts and greater satisfaction (4.36 vs 4.02, ES .4) than viewing the better video first. Trainees reported diverse areas of learning and minimal confusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICAP training to use the PCOF may facilitate teaching and assessment of communication skills and enrich training through peer observation and feedback. We offer several educational strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Learning to use the PCOF via the ICAP module may accelerate communication training for medical students, residents, medical educators and practicing clinicians.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA; Department of BioMedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
authors: Misbah
authors: M
authors: Keen
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
authors: Jeanne
authors: J
authors: Cawse-Lucas
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA; Department of BioMedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Carline
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA. Electronic address: mauksch@uw.edu.
authors: Larry
authors: L
authors: Mauksch
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017145:Models, Educational; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D013337:Students, Medical