Kommunikation mit Palliativpatienten - Erste Erfahrungen mit standardisierten Patienten im Rahmen der Interdisziplinaren Onkologie

Background The promotion of social and communication skills has become an increasingly important element in the training of medical students through the amendment of the German medical training in April 2002. At Wuerzburg University Hospital, a communication skills training was implemented as part of the interdisciplinary oncology courses, providing medical students with the opportunity to practise breaking bad news with standardized patients. Method During the summer semester 2007, standardized patients were coached and introduced in courses. Trainings took place in a smallgroup role play setting, comprising approx. four to five students. The courses are evaluated in written form after each session. Results So far, 308 medical students have participated in communication skills trainings; 285 participants (92.8 %) have provided evaluation forms. 90.9% judge their ability to break bad news to patients better than before the course; 82.8% feel more competent to interact with patients in an open way without destroying their hopes. 71.3% of students feel more competent to involve patients and their relatives in medical decision-making. Students who adopted the physician role benefited significantly more than students who acted as observers. Evaluation data showed that role plays and actors' feedback were rated best by students. Conclusion A communication skills training using standardized patients was successfully implemented. The training is planned to be included in a comprehensive teaching concept in palliative medicine.