Tackling one of the most common complaints about physicians head on, the medical school is developing a program to train prospective doctors how to empathize and communicate with their patients. Results will be used as a model by other medical schools throughout New York State. This has left little time to pay attention to the interpersonal skills physicians need to communicate effectively with patients, and to develop a mutually trusting relationship. Perhaps the most common criticism of modern medicine is that physicians either do not take the time, or don't have the ability, to discuss issues that concern patients in language that is understandable and sensitive to their anxieties. The project will employ standardized cases and patients to present medical students and resident physicians with typical situations they may face in their practices.
Standardized patients are persons trained to portray actual patients in a consistent fashion.
They record data on student performance and provide feedback to trainees in a systematic way, based on faculty-developed criteria, to assure that minimal competencies are met. Schimpfhauser, who coordinates UB's standardized patient program, said that while most medical schools use standardized patients to teach students how to take a medical history or to demonstrate their skills at conducting a physical examination, few use them to train prospective physicians how to listen, empathize and communicate. Students will be videotaped and their performance critiqued. Those who don't measure up will be required to improve weak skills and participate in positive role-modeling. Communication skills eventually will become part of UB's annual competency exams.