OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of residents' communication self-assessment and supervisor feedback on residents' communication-competency awareness, on their patient-education competency, and on their patients' opinion.

METHODS

The program consisted of the implementation of a communication self-assessment and feedback process using videoed outpatient consultations (video-CAF). Residents wrote down communication learning objectives during the instruction and after each video-CAF session. Residents' patient-education competency was assessed by trained raters, using the CELI instrument. Participating patients completed a questionnaire about the contact with their physician.

RESULTS

Forty-four residents and 21 supervisors participated in 87 video-CAF sessions. After their first video-CAF session, residents wrote down more learning objectives addressing their control and rapport skills and their listening skills. Video-CAF participation improved residents' patient-education competency, but only in their control and rapport skills. Video-CAF participation had no effect on patients' opinion.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-CAF appears to be a feasible procedure and might be effective in improving residents' patient-education competency in clinical practice.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Video-CAF could fill the existing deficiency of communication training in residency programs.