PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sanah Hasan
AU  - Hamadeh (M. Khier) Tarazi
AU  - Dana Abdel Halim Hilal
TI  - Enhancing Student Communication Skills Through Arabic Language Competency and Simulated Patient Assessments
AID  - 10.5688/ajpe81476
DP  - 2017 May 01
TA  - American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
PG  - 76
VI  - 81
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.ajpe.org/content/81/4/76.short
4100  - http://www.ajpe.org/content/81/4/76.full
SO  - Am J Pharm Educ2017 May 01; 81
AB  - Objective. To assess student communication and patient management skill with introduction of Arabic and use of simulated patient assessments to a communication and counseling course.Design. Five, 3-hour tutorials (clinical skill laboratory) were added to the course covering: listening and empathic responding, non-verbal communications, interviewing skills, assertiveness, counseling in special situations: conflict, anger, worry or rushed situations, and professional decision making. Arabic content was introduced to the course to enhance Arabic communications and competence among students. Simulated patient assessment was used to evaluate student skills. Students’ feedback about course changes was evaluated.Assessment. The course now covers a wider content and Arabic language. Students’ scores were similar in the assessment and other assessments within the course and between Arabic and English groups. Students favorably rated the changes in the course and provided constructive feedback on content usefulness and adequacy.Conclusion. Expanding the course to include Arabic language and content and simulated patient assessments enhanced student communication skills.