Guidelines for the Standardized Patient Instructors Interview
SUMMARIZING FOR THE PATIENT • GRADING CRITERIA
The Disease
1. How is the diagnosis made?
2. What are the pertinent features of the disease?
3. What causes the disease?
4. What are the symptoms and future complications of the disease if not treated properly?
5. What impact will it have on the patient’s family and lifestyle?
6. What is the desired outcome of treatment?
Tests
1. What additional testing is needed?
2. What are the objectives of these tests and why do they need to be done?
Treatment
1.  Discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options with their attendant risks and benefits.
2.  Discuss how these treatments work.
3.  Work with the patient to identify a treatment plan that is compatible with their lifestyle. 
Follow-up
1.  What monitoring and testing will need to be conducting and when?
2.  What is the appropriate re-evaluation schedule and why?
3.   What will be accomplished at the re-evaluation appointment (i.e. outside/family support and shared responsibility for management of disease, patients feelings as they learn to cope, the impact of the disease on family, activities, and lifestyle)
Medical Communication Skills
1.   Establishing rapport
2.   Encouraging the patient to participate in the discussion of the disease and ask questions.
3.   Conducting interview in an organized manner.
4.   Treating patient with caring, concerned attitude throughout interview.
5.   Presenting treatment plans in a non-prescriptive style, leaving the patient with a collaborative feeling regarding their health care.
6.   Closing the interview and summarizing in an appropriate manner.