University of Pittsburgh
Introduction to Patient Care

Medical Interviewing
MS-1

August 24, 2009 – October 19, 2009
7 sessions

Course DirectorDonald B. Middleton, MD
Donald B. Middleton, MD
Professor
Department of Family Medicine
middletondb@upmc.edu


Course Director
Reed W. Van Deusen, MD
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
reed.vandeusen@chp.edu

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide a life-like learning environment in which medical students will be able to develop and practice effective medical interviewing skills.

The goals of the course are that students will observe and practice:

  1. setting a stage and establishing rapport conducive to conducting an interview.
  2. introducing self to patient in an appropriate and respectful manner.
  3. using open-ended questions, listening and facilitating responses which encourage and clarify the patient’s story.
  4. using appropriate questioning techniques, moving from open- to closed-ended.
  5. eliciting a systematic history of the onset and course of a chief complaint.
  6. using empathy to encourage, support, and accurately understand the patient’s feelings.
  7. perceiving and correctly interpreting the patient’s verbal and nonverbal cues.
  8. summarizing and soliciting the patient’s feedback regarding completeness and accuracy of information.
  9. using alternative approaches for data gathering when an interview is difficult.
  10. using verbal transitions to move from one area of inquiry to another.

Additional goals are that by the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. discuss the significance of the medial interview as a basic clinical skill.
  2. list the basic ingredients of a complete medical history.
  3. observe, identify and correctly label the basic skills of a clinical interview.
  4. determine the patient’s concerns, beliefs, reasons for seeking medical care communicated during a medical interview.
  5. recognize how the interviewer’s own beliefs, feelings, prejudices and preconceptions may result in lack of objectivity and misinterpretation in the medical interview.

The 38 faculty are drawn from 7 departments: Behavioral Medicine (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cancer Centers), Family Medicine, Health and Community Systems (School of Nursing), Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery.

Educational Methods

Standardized patients Small-group discussion sessions Interview skills development    
               

Evaluation

Evaluation for this course is based on small-group learner skills, interviewing skills, and knowledge of content presented in the syllabus.

Grading: This course comprises 50% of the grade for Introduction to Patient Care Block, Section 1. Grading for the block section is Honors, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory.

Faculty Note

Donald B. Middleton, MD, is a recipient of the Kenneth E. Schuit Award and the Excellence in Education Award for Small Group Facilitator. Hollis Day, MD, is a recipient of the Clerkship Preceptor of the Year Award. Andrea Fox, MD, is a recipient of multiple Excellence in Education Awards for Mentor. In addition, Andrea Fox, MD, and Jason Rosenstock, MD, are members of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Academy of Master Educators.