Student education
Student education
Some students noted that they had used the Star to reflect on patient contact and have been able to observe changes over the course of their degree .
Evaluation and feedback
In extension of the communication skills training , we developed a formative assessment . For this assessment , we recruited service users as collaborators in assessing student conversations . Service user involvement was essential for authentic feedback in real time . We noticed that the Star had strong consistency between markers and good feedback from users . We very much aimed for assessment for learning , not just of learning ( Bloxham 2007 ).
The Communication Star is still in the evaluation stage . During the ongoing process of using the tool in practice , we have gathered feedback that has led to further edits on the Star .
The most recent edit was the addition of a ‘ Conversation Context ’ box on the tool , from a member of the occupational therapy team . This addition acknowledges the type of professional conversation you may have , for example assessment , or difficult conversation , and how this can impact the way we respond .
We are also conducting an ongoing evaluation involving both students and assessors who have used the tool , aiming to assess its usefulness and validity . We want to understand how helpful it is for the students , in their development , as well as rating reliability and ease of use for assessors .
The evaluation is currently in the form of an online anonymous survey , gathering quantitative and qualitative data about the use of the tool . Our hope is that we can use this information to inform ongoing development including any changes needed .
A further benefit of the tool is that it is easily transferrable across other healthcare and educational disciplines , and we have positive received feedback on its use from students on placement in other settings such as social care .
We are still evaluating the different uses for this tool , including use in formative assessments , peerto-peer / educator observation , and as a reflective activity across the course of the degree .
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Fortin AH ( 2022 ) Communication skills to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care . Ethn Dis . 2002 Fall ; 12 ( 4 ): S3-58-61 . PMID : 12477157 .
Taylor RR , Lee SW , Kielhofner G , Ketkar M ( 2009 ). Therapeutic use of self : A nationwide survey of practitioners ’ attitudes and experiences . American Journal of Occupational Therapy , March / April 63 ( 2 ).
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Words CLAIRE MORAN , ANGELA LEE and DR ANNE KILLETT , Lecturers at the University of East Anglia . A copy of the Communication Star is available to use for free with students on the UEA Creative Commons website . Please contact claire . moran @ uea . ac . uk . We ask that if you do use this tool , you would help us in gathering feedback on its uses , and points for further development .
To download the star bit . ly / 3p4uwP1 or communication . star @ uea . ac . uk
The authors presented the Communication Star in a poster / presentation at the HEE NET2021 International education conference in September 2021 , and also at the RCOT Annual Conference , in June 2023 .
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Ali M ( 2017 ) Communication skills 1 : benefits of effective communication for patients . Nursing Times [ online ]; 113 : 12 , 18-19 .
Bloxham S and Boyd P ( 2007 ) Developing effective assessment in higher education ; Open University Press .
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