Effects of specific feedback based on an in-depth assessment tool for communication skills training in occupational therapy interns

Abstract Specific feedback is considered an important strategy in communication skills training (CST). However, the effects of specific feedback on CST have not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of specific feedback based on an in-depth assessment tool for CST (CST-SF) on occupational therapy interns’ communication skills (CS). A one-group pre-test and post-test study design was conducted. Thirty-six interns received the CST-SF and completed three interviews with different patients. After the interviews, clinical instructors provided interns brief feedback based on the Gap-Kalamazoo Communication Skills Assessment Form (GKCSAF) and experts gave specific feedback based on the Communication Skills Measure for Therapists. The first and last interviews were assessed by clinical instructors, interns, and patients using the GKCSAF, and were then rated by experts based on the transcripts. The differences in first and last interview GKCSAF scores were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results indicated that the interns significantly improved in terms of total scores and the scores of four CS domains in the GKCSAF: “builds a relationship,” “gathers information,” “shares information,” and “provides closure” (p < 0.05), with small to medium effect sizes (r = 0.29 to 0.37). The clinical instructors and interns both reported significant improvements in the scores of two CS domains: “gathers information” and “provides closure,” but the patients reported no significant change in the interns’ CS. The CST-SF could impact the CS of occupational therapy interns, especially in the four aforementioned CS domains.