TEACHING SMOKING-CESSATION COUNSELING TO MEDICAL-STUDENTS USING SIMULATED PATIENTS

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of using si mulated patient instructors and the Ockene method to instruct third-ye ar medical students in smoking-cessation counseling techniques. Design : We used a clinical exercise with self-study preparation and simulate d patient instructors. Methods: One hundred fifty-nine students partic ipated in a smoking-cessation counseling session in which cognitive an d behavioral endpoints were assessed by simulated patient instructors and the students themselves. Results: Student performance in the cogni tive and behavioral components of model smoking-cessation counseling w as acceptable. Specific areas of weakness, such as the tendency of stu dents to underemphasize the personal and social benefits of smoking ce ssation, and to overestimate their competence on a number of skill ite ms, were identified. Student evaluation of the exercise was positive.C onclusions: Smoking-cessation counseling can be taught effectively to third-year medical students by simulated patient instructors during a clinical clerkship.