The Relationship between the Timing of a Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Duration of Training, and Levels of Self-Efficacy with Patient-Centered Interviewing Skills

ABSTRACT

There are conflicting findings about the role that timing plays in the administration of self-efficacy questionnaires and the relationships between self-efficacy scores, training, and subsequent demonstration of skills. The current study examined self-efficacy in the context of a training program to educate residents in patient-centered communication skills. Previous research indicates that providers who use patient-centered skills have higher patient satisfaction ratings and their patients show improved physical and psychological health outcomes. 163 residents conducted patient-centered interviews with standardized patients. One group rated their self-efficacy before the interview (n = 85, 52%) and the other group rated it after the interview (n = 78, 48%). Researchers used a validated content analysis coding scheme to measure patient-centered skills in the interviews. There was no significant difference in self-efficacy scores obtained before or after the interview or in the relationship between self-efficacy and objectively coded patient-centered skills in either group. Self-efficacy also did not mediate the relationship between training in patient-centered skills and significantly improved performance of the skills. The findings suggest that timing of self-efficacy questionnaire does not influence subsequent self-efficacy ratings and that demonstrated PCI skills and perceived self-efficacy ratings increase significantly with training. Results imply that self-efficacy requires further study before it can be used as a surrogate for skills performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Patient-centered
• self-efficacy
• communication skills
• provider-patient interaction
• content analysis
• health communication

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The coding scheme and self-efficacy can be found in Appendix 1 and 2 at https://osf.io/m2qx6

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration [D58HP23259].

Notes on contributors

Brandon M. Walling

Brandon M. Walling is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. With a focus on interpersonal communication theory and research methodology Brandon’s work explores the influence that human interaction can have on outcomes related to health, specifically in the context of mental health, provider-patient communication, and relationships between women offenders on probation and parole with their program officers. His dissertation examines the effect that different disclosure and social support-seeking strategies have on support offered in an online depression help group.

Sandi W. Smith

Dr. Sandi W. Smith is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and a Professor in the Department of Communication.

Katelyn Grayson-Sneed

Dr. Katelyn Grayson-Sneed, PhD, is a graduate of the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.

Robert C. Smith

Dr. Robert C. Smith, MD, MACP, is a University Distinguished Professor and a Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University. With many publications, awards, and strong grant support, he has been involved in teaching and research in patient-centered communication and in primary care mental health since 1985.