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Ditton-Phare P, Sandhu H, Kelly B, Loughland C. ComPsych communication skills training: Applicability of simulated patients in psychiatry communication skills training. Australas Psychiatry 2022; 30:552-555. [PMID: 35138955 DOI: 10.1177/10398562211067199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Communication skills training (CST) programs within postgraduate psychiatry training are rare. ComPsych CST utilises simulated patients (SPs) for trainees to practice communication skills for discussing severe mental illness with patients and their families/carers. This study examined the applicability of using SPs in a psychiatry-specific CST. METHODS A total of 41 postgraduate psychiatry trainees attended at least one of four modules of training in their cohort year and completed a questionnaire after each module presenting eight questions rating the use of SPs and ratings of course deliverables. RESULTS Overall, trainees rated contact with SPs very highly across all modules, with a mean rating of 9.11 out of 10 (SD = 0.97). Trainees agreed that SPs appeared authentic, that their reactions showed they listened to the trainee. CONCLUSIONS Trainees valued training with SPs, providing evidence that using SPs for psychiatry-specific CST is feasible. Despite subjectivity, this is valuable to course providers as it highlights benefits perceived by trainees to be useful and provides further evidence for the program's feasibility and utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa Ditton-Phare
- 278707Hunter New England Mental Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, 64834Faculty of Health University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle NSW, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Mater Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Harsimrat Sandhu
- 278707Hunter New England Mental Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, 64834Faculty of Health University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Mater Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Brian Kelly
- 278707Hunter New England Mental Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, 64834Faculty of Health University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Mater Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Carmel Loughland
- 278707Hunter New England Mental Health, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, 64834Faculty of Health University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Mater Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital Campus, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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