Improving Communication Skills Through the Use of Simulation Patients in Education

Term: 1 September 2021 to 28 February 2024

Study results show that communication skills can be improved through training and that this is also possible in training using suitable methods (Dwamena et al., 2012; Rosenbaum, 2017). The methodological gold standard for training communication skills is the use of simulated patients, including peer feedback and repeated practice of the same situation after feedback has been given. Simulation patients are actors who have been specially trained to play patients and provide constructive feedback.

Following the qualification of lecturers as part of the trainer course in accordance with the ÖPGK-tEACH standard at Hochschule Campus Wien, the content of patient-centred conversation using simulated patients was embedded longitudinally in the curriculum of the Bachelor's degree programme in Physiotherapy and anchored in various courses. This ensures that students learn and continuously improve their communication skills over the entire Duration of course. In semesters 1-3, basic skills for patient-centred communication are learned in various courses. These are then deepened and refined in semesters 4-6 in the course "Professional Counselling and Interaction 1". In so-called ALOBA sessions (Agenda Led Outcome Based Analysis), small groups work on the individual goals of the students using concrete examples from practice and simulated patients.

To find out what influence the use of simulation patients has on communication skills and abilities within the course Professional Conversation and Interaction 1 of the Bachelor's degree programme in Physiotherapy.