Table 1 Frequency distributions (%) of items that probe self-assessed competency in 14 clinically relevant tasks
| Â | Not at all competent | Â | Â | Â | Perfectly competent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | ⌄ |  |  |  | ⌄ |
1) Obtain a medical history that is relevant to the patient's complaint | 0.0 | 2.8 | 18.3 | 55.1 | 23.8 |
2) Perform a clinical examination that is targeted at the patient's chief complaint | 0.2 | 2.4 | 12.4 | 52.8 | 32.2 |
3) Obtain a psychosocial history from the patient | 1.3 | 11.4 | 26.9 | 43.2 | 17.3 |
4) Announce bad news (e.g., an unfavorable prognosis) | 2.8 | 12.1 | 26.1 | 40.7 | 18.3 |
5) Make sure that an illiterate patient understands the treatment of his chronic disease (e.g., hypertension, depression, etc.) | 3.1 | 16.0 | 39.9 | 32.4 | 8.5 |
6) Explain the reason for refusing an unjustified treatment or investigation to patient who requests it | 0.5 | 10.5 | 32.2 | 44.1 | 12.7 |
7) Discuss advantages and risks of unconventional therapies with a patient who uses them | 4.9 | 18.6 | 32.6 | 34.3 | 9.6 |
8) Discuss a patient's religious preferences and constraints regarding his treatment | 7.9 | 25.9 | 33.4 | 26.4 | 6.5 |
9) Communicate the importance of medical treatment to a patient who believes that his illness is due to supernatural causes | 8.9 | 24.3 | 34.7 | 24.5 | 7.6 |
10) Explore the migration trajectory and possible traumatic experiences of an asylum seeker | 8.8 | 28.8 | 29.1 | 24.7 | 8.7 |
11) Work effectively with a professional interpreter | 2.6 | 10.2 | 28.5 | 39.3 | 19.3 |
12) Orient an undocumented immigrant patient towards appropriate medical and social services | 13.0 | 25.3 | 28.2 | 22.5 | 11.0 |
13) Perform a physical examination of a Muslim woman who wears a veil | 16.9 | 21.9 | 22.1 | 24.0 | 15.1 |
14) Ask questions and give information to the husband of a patient, if she requests it | 3.4 | 13.3 | 29.6 | 35.3 | 18.4 |