Using multimedia to assist students with communication skills and biopsychosocial integration: An evaluation

This paper reports on the development rationale and evaluation of a computer facilitated learning (CFL) package which aimed to assist medical students with their clinical communication skills and develop an integrated biopsychosocial approach to identifying a patient's problems. Using a formative evaluation framework developed at the University of Melbourne the CFL package, Communicating with the Tired Patient, underwent a three stage review. Initial evaluation consisted of both formal and informal conceptual and technical review by content experts, instructional designers and evaluators. The final stage of the evaluation involved the survey and observation of 110 medical students interacting with the package. Students were very positive about the instructional and interface design of the package and indicated that the package assisted with their understanding of issues associated with clinical communication. Nevertheless, a number of areas were highlighted where either the package or the learning environment could be modified or improved.