Use of standardized client simulations in an interprofessional teaching concept for social work and medical students: first results of a pilot study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Neuderth, Silke; Lukasczik, Matthias; Thierolf, Antje; Wolf, Hans-Dieter; van Oorschot, Birgitt; König, Sarah; Unz, Dagmar; Henking, Tanja
• Is Part Of: Social work education. Volume 38:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Standardized patients/clients -- interprofessional education -- communication and counseling skills -- palliative care -- practice learning; Social work education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Social workers -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 361.0071141
• DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2018.1524455
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5479

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Teaching concepts with standardized clients/patients (SC) had been successfully implemented in the education of health professionals. Benefits were also demonstrated for social work education. Based on former experiences with simulated clients in medical education, we developed an innovative teaching concept for social work and medical students. We focused on the training of consultations with clients suffering from a serious illness like cancer—with different learning goals for medical students (e.g. breaking bad news) and social work students (e.g. psychosocial exploration and counseling). Both groups should gain knowledge about the other professions tasks and learn to handle clients' emotional reactions. In addition to role-plays with simulated clients in small groups, the concept includes an interprofessional lecture by physicians, psychologists, social workers, and lawyers as well as a visit on the palliative care ward (for social work students only) and a research colloquium. A formative evaluation shows high satisfaction with the teaching concept. The students underline the realistic setting, interprofessional contact, authentic talks and direct feedback. The SC method and its interprofessional application proved to be a practicable and motivating way to enhance conversational skills.