Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of using simulated patient instructors and the Ockene method to instruct third-year medical students in smoking-cessation counseling techniques.

DESIGN:

We used a clinical exercise with self-study preparation and simulated patient instructors.

METHODS:

One hundred fifty-nine students participated in a smoking-cessation counseling session in which cognitive and behavioral endpoints were assessed by simulated patient instructors and the students themselves.

RESULTS:

Student performance in the cognitive and behavioral components of model smoking-cessation counseling was acceptable. Specific areas of weakness, such as the tendency of students to underemphasize the personal and social benefits of smoking cessation, and to overestimate their competence on a number of skill items, were identified. Student evaluation of the exercise was positive.

CONCLUSIONS:

Smoking-cessation counseling can be taught effectively to third-year medical students by simulated patient instructors during a clinical clerkship.