Impact of an In-Person Versus Web-Based Practice Standardized Patient Examination on Student Performance on a Subsequent High-Stakes Standardized Patient Examination

Abstract

Two formats of a formative SP examination led to equivalent improvement in scores on a subsequent high-stakes examination. Students preferred an in-person formative examination to online but were satisfied with both.

Standardized Patient-Narrated Web-Based Learning Modules Improve Students’ Communication Skills on a High-stakes Clinical Skills Examination

“…13 The current results complement our prior study by demonstrating that web-based SP learning modules can improve CPX communication scores if communication skills are emphasized as part of module content. Both studies used similar preparation formats in terms of difficulty level, demonstration of communication skills, and total interaction time; the main difference was that modules in this study were designed intentionally to address communication scores.…”

“…20,21 Web-based SP teaching modules typically consist of videotaped clinical encounters between medical students and SPs with expert clinician commentary; they are more cost-effective, convenient for students, and easier to administer although less preferred by students than inperson SP modules. 13 In our prior study, students who used a web-based SP module or in-person teaching exam with SPs to prepare months in advance for a high-stakes Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) scored higher than historical controls on history-taking and physical examination skills but showed no difference in communication skills. 13 Given the importance of communication skills in clinical practice, we sought to develop a new method to enhance students' communication skills performance.…”

“…13 In our prior study, students who used a web-based SP module or in-person teaching exam with SPs to prepare months in advance for a high-stakes Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) scored higher than historical controls on history-taking and physical examination skills but showed no difference in communication skills. 13 Given the importance of communication skills in clinical practice, we sought to develop a new method to enhance students' communication skills performance.…”

“…12 Preparatory educational activities reinforce key concepts and improve performance on highstakes examinations. 13 Because comprehensive clinical skills examinations generally involve SPs, practice with SP encounters is helpful for clinical skills test preparation. 14,15 However, there is limited data on optimal timing and format of test preparation strategies.…”

Training Interprofessional Communication within Clinical Reasoning Processes–E-Learning Cases

“…However, not only medical students may benefit from the offer but also persons from other fields of study, for example nurses, pharmacists. Advantages compared to "classic learning resources" are the transfer of declarative to procedural knowledge, increased flexibility for both student and teacher [1,8,9]. Furthermore it leads to an adaption more towards individual interests and learning style preferences leading to higher interest and curiosity [2,[10][11][12] The parameters of curiosity and interest may prove to be one of the primary affects which have been shown to arouse intrinsic motivation.…”