The University of Missouri School of Medicine, based in Columbia, announced the implementation of a new tool to measure how well third-year medical students practice patient-centered care.
MU researchers worked with patients to determine behaviors that demonstrate high-quality patient-centered care. They used this feedback to design the Patient-Centered Care – Objective Structured Clinical Exam, which MU medical students must pass to graduate.
Students take the test in the third year of medical school during clinical rotations. Through a "standardized patient" simulation, students are tested on their ability to demonstrate patient-centered care. The test assesses skills like building rapport, making eye contact, listening, determining the reason for the visit and developing a care plan that suits the patient's preferences.
In the years leading up to the exam, MU medical students train in a simulation center to practice patient-centered care behaviors. They receive video feedback and comments to help reinforce good physician-patient engagement behaviors, according to the report.
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