Real-patient evaluation of communication skills teaching for GP registrars

BACKGROUND: Five thousand eight hundred and eighty-five patient-completed questionnaires were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an interpersonal skills module designed for a vocational training programme for GPs. OBJECTIVES: It was anticipated that patient-based assessments would detect a significant improvement in the interpersonal skills of GP Registrars who undertook the module. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design using an intervention and control group (comprising 68 GP Registrars) was used to monitor the outcomes of the interpersonal skills module. RESULTS: Patient ratings of interpersonal skills were significantly higher for those GP Registrars who participated in the interpersonal skills module. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-based assessments are a useful evaluation method for assessing the quality of the doctor-patient relationship.