Assessment of medical communication skills by computer: assessment method and student experiences.

Background: A computer-assisted assessment (CAA) program for communication skills designated ACT was developed using the objective structured video examination (OSVE) format. This method features assessment of cognitive scripts underlying communication behaviour, a broad range of communication problems covered in 1 assessment, highly standardised assessment and rating procedures, and large group assessments without complex organisation.

Setting: The Academic Medical Centre (AMC) at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.