Two-dimensional structure of the MAAS-Global rating list for consultation skills of doctors

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

The concept of a dichotomy in doctor–patient communication skills (patient-centred versus task-related skills) is sustained in the dimensional structure of the MG rating list for consultation skills. Empathy as a personal characteristic is related to patient-oriented doctor–patient communication skills but does not relate to task-related skills. Having had prior communication skills training seems to have more effect on task-related skills than on patient-oriented skills in first-year GP trainees.

Figure 1. Average MG scores, per item and overall (N = 68).

Table 1.  Pattern matrix of principal components analysis of MG items, after direct oblimin rotation (N = 68)

	Factor
Item	1	2
Exploration of expectations and feelings	0.89	0.03
Dealing with emotions	0.80	0.06
Empathy	0.76	0.18
Opening	0.76	0.03
Clarification of the reason for encounter	0.74	0.10
Summarizing	0.60	−0.17
Communication about the diagnosis and hypothesis	−0.21	0.89
Structuring	0.07	0.85
Communication about the management plan	−0.05	0.83
Providing information	0.27	0.75
Evaluation of the consultation	0.15	0.42

Note: Loadings greater than 0.50 are given in bold face.

Table 2.  MG scores and SDs as a function of individual characteristics, including t- and p-values (N = 68)

	MG scale
	MG total score			MG patient			MG task
Personal characteristics	M (SD)	t	p	M (SD)	t	p	M (SD)	t	p
Sex		1.18	0.24		1.31	0.19		0.20	0.84
Female (n = 53)	2.55 (0.44)			2.43 (0.59)			3.12 (0.47)
Male (n = 15)	2.39 (0.51)			2.20 (0.69)			3.09 (0.60)
Age		1.98	0.06		1.64	0.11		1.95	0.06
Below 30 (n = 41)	2.61 (0.32)			2.49 (0.47)			3.21 (0.42)
30 or older (n = 27)	2.37 (0.59)			2.22 (0.77)			2.97 (0.58)
Country of birth		3.88	<0.0005		3.40	0.001		2.55	0.01
Netherlands (n = 59)	2.59 (0.42)			2.47 (0.56)			3.17 (0.47)
Elsewhere (n = 9)	2.01 (0.37)			1.78 (0.60)			2.74 (0.60)
Prior communication skills training		1.83	0.07		1.28	0.21		1.99	0.05
Yes (n = 61)	2.55 (0.44)			2.41 (0.60)			3.15 (0.47)
No (n = 7)	2.22 (0.51)			2.10 (0.69)			2.77 (0.67)

Note: Significant differences are indicated in bold face.

Table 3.  Pearson correlations (r) between empathy (IRI scales) and communication skills (MG scales), including p-values (N = 68)

	MG scale
	MG total score		MG patient		MG task
IRI scales	r	p	r	p	r	p
PT	0.05	0.69	0.09	0.46	−0.08	0.50
FS	0.21	0.09	0.24	0.04	0.05	0.71
EC	0.26	0.03	0.30	0.013	0.05	0.70
PD	0.25	0.04	0.26	0.03	0.13	0.30

Note: Significant correlations are given in bold face.