Use of "standardized examinees" to screen for standardized-patient scoring bias in a clinical skills examination.

Background: Clinical skills examinations using standardized patients (SPs) are important in documenting the proficiency of trainees. "Standardized examinees" (SEs) are individuals trained to a specific level of performance; they can be used as internal controls in a high-stakes, clinical skills examination.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether SEs can be trained to portray a specified level of confidence and whether SPs' checklist scoring is affected by the personal manner of the examinee.

Integrating medical management with diabetes self-management training: a randomized control trial of the Diabetes Outpatient Intensive Treatment program.

Objective: This study evaluated the Diabetes Outpatient Intensive Treatment (DOIT) program, a multiday group education and skills training experience combined with daily medical management, followed by case management over 6 months. Using a randomized control design, the study explored how DOIT affected glycemic control and self-care behaviors over a short term. The impact of two additional factors on clinical outcomes were also examined (frequency of case management contacts and whether or not insulin was started during the program).