Skip to main content

Table 4 Scores on Direct Observation Evaluation Tool Across Program Sites (n = 11)

From: Competency-based evaluation tools for integrative medicine training in family medicine residency: a pilot study

Competency and Behaviors

Mean Score (range 1–3)

Standard Deviation

Percent Rated as DNO*

Direct Observation Evaluation Tool

   

   Uses patient-centered care techniques (Competency #3)

   

a. Takes a history which includes the patient's understanding of their illness

2.5**

0.50

0%

b. Incorporates information about family, community, and occupational factors into history-taking

2.9

0.30

0%

c. Inquires regarding role of stress in patient's health and self-care/stress management strategies

2.9

0.32

0%

d. Inquires about sources of pleasure or happiness in patient's life

2.7

0.47

0%

e. Inquires about care from other practitioners or healers and the impact of this on the patient

2.6

0.50

0%

f. Integrates prevention and health promotion into the visit

2.7

0.50

33.3%

   Uses communication skills that enhance the physician/patient relationship (Competency #4)

   

a. Uses appropriate introduction

2.9

0.30

0%

b. Uses appropriate eye contact, body language, physical distance/proximity

2.9

0.30

0%

c. Appropriately uses non-medical terms and clear language

2.8

0.42

0%

d. Demonstrates empathy and compassion

2.8

0.42

0%

e. Uses open-ended questions, allowing adequate time for patient's responses

2.9

0.30

0%

   Facilitates lifestyle changes in patients (Competency #5)

   

a. Assesses readiness for change

2.6

0.52

0%

b. Negotiates prioritization of areas in need of change

2.4**

0.79

12.5%

c. Identifies potential obstacles and mitigating strategies

2.7

0.44

2.5%

d. Formulates plan that is appropriate to the stage the patient is at

2.5**

0.79

22.2%

   Practices constructively and collaboratively with other health team member (Competency #7)

   

a. Communicates respectfully with other members of the team

2.6

0.58

62.5%

b. Actively solicits input on patient care from other team members

2.6

0.58

66.7%

   Integrates mind-body recommendations into practice appropriately (Competency #9)

   

a. Inquires about previous and current use and response to mind-body therapies

2.9

0.30

0%

b. Discusses potential applications of mind-body therapies to specific patient

2.8

0.42

9.1%

c. Identifies potential obstacles and mitigating strategies to the use of mind-body therapies

2.6

0.52

11.1%

d. Demonstrates/teaches mind-body technique(s) to patients or refers patient appropriately

2.6

0.55

37.5%

   Integrates botanical recommendations into practice appropriately (Competency #10)

   

a. Inquires about previous and current use and response to botanical therapies

2.9

0.32

0%

b. Discusses potential applications of botanical therapies specific to patient

2.5**

0.55

25.0%

c. Identifies potential obstacles and mitigating strategies to the use of botanicals

2.3**

0.58

57.1%

d. Recommends botanicals to patients or refers patients appropriately

2.3**

0.58

57.1%

   Integrates nutrition recommendations into practice appropriately (Competency #11)

   

a. Inquires about previous and current use and response to nutritional therapies

2.9

0.30

0%

b. Discusses potential applications of nutritional therapies to specific patient

2.8

0.38

22.2%

c. Identifies potential obstacles and mitigating strategies to the use of nutritional therapies

2.7

0.49

22.2%

d. Recommends nutritional interventions to patients or refers appropriately

3.0

0.00

33.3%

   Integrates physical activity recommendations into practice appropriately (Competency #12)

   

a. Inquires about previous and current use and response to physical activity

2.7

0.44

10.0%

b. Discusses potential applications of physical activity to specific patient

2.8

0.41

25.0%

c. Identifies potential obstacles and mitigating strategies to the use of physical activity

2.6

0.52

25.0%

d. Recommends physical activity interventions to patients or refers appropriately

2.7

0.50

50.0%

   Counsels and supports patient regarding spirituality (Competency #13)

   

a. Inquires about previous and current spiritual or religious practice in a sensitive manner if indicated

3.0

0.00

33.3%

b. Discusses potential relevance of spirituality to health if indicated

2.7

0.50

50.0%

c. Refers for pastoral care or other spiritual approach when appropriate

2.5**

0.71

75.0%

   Composes and administers individual integrative medicine treatment plan (Competency #14)

   

a. Produces a coherent and readable written treatment plan for new patients and reviews this plan with faculty

3.0

0.00

12.5%

b. Incorporates evidence-based approach into treatment plan, when possible

2.5**

0.55

25.0%

c. Builds in to treatment plan comments on what patient already is doing well and where they have already shown strength and resources

2.8

0.45

37.5%

d. Incorporates feedback from faculty effectively into treatment plan

3.0

0.00

22.2%

e. Communicates plan clearly to patient, including discussion of potential obstacles to and facilitators of its implementation

2.8

0.41

22.2%

  1. * DNO = Did Not Observe
  2. ** Scores ≤ 2.5 were determined to be below acceptable