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.