Teaching and Testing, the simulated patient program at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine

The Simulated Patient Program has been in existence at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine for close to 20 years. Simulated patients (SPs) are an integral part of the UNM\u27s nationally recognized curriculum. Medical students work with SPs from their first day of medical school through their last Student Program Assessment during year four

Assessing Medical Students\u27 Competence in Obtaining Informed Consent

BACKGROUND: Medical schools increasingly place emphasis on preparing students to perform routine, ethically important clinical activities with sensitivity and acumen. A method for evaluating students skills in obtaining informed consent that was created at our institution is described. METHODS: Formal assessment of medical students\u27 professional attitudes, values, and ethics skills occurs in the context of three required and developmentally attuned comprehensive examinations. A videotaped station tested senior medical students\u27 ability to obtain informed consent from a standardized patient who expresses concern about undergoing cardiac catheterization. Two checklists were completed by the patient. Videotapes were reviewed by a faculty member, and students\u27 reactions to the assessment experience were documented. RESULTS: Seventy-one senior students participated, and all performed well. Mean scores of 6.3 out of 7 (range 5 to 7, SD 5 0.5) on the informed consent checklist and 8.7 out of 9 (range 6 to 9, SD 5 0.5) on the communication skills checklist were obtained. Students endorsed the importance of the skills tested. CONCLUSIONS: This method of examining medical students\u27 abilities to obtain informed consent has several positive features and holds promise as an ethics competence assessment tool. Am J Surg. 1999;178:351—355. \xa9 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.\u2