The relationship between checklist scores on a communication OSCE and analogue patients' perceptions of communication.

Many efforts to teach and evaluate physician-patient communication are based on two assumptions: first, that communication can be conceptualized as consisting of specific observable behaviors, and second, that physicians who exhibit certain behaviors are more effective in communicating with patients. These assumptions are usually implicit, and are seldom tested. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether specific communication behaviors are positively related to patients' perceptions of effective communication.

Tracking the longitudinal stability of medical students' perceptions using the AAMC graduation questionnaire and serial evaluation surveys.

Background: This study examined the longitudinal stability of students' perceptions by comparing ratings on similar survey items in three sequential evaluations: end-of-clerkship (EOC), AAMC graduation questionnaire (GQ), and a postgraduate survey (PGY1).

Method: For the classes of 2000 and 2001, ratings were compiled from EOC evaluations and comparable items from the GQ. For both cohorts, selected GQ items were included in the PGY1 survey and these ratings were compiled.