For the competency on communication skills, you maybe asked to observe a video and comment on the communication skills of the health care provider or demonstrate your communication skills in a given scenario. A checklist is usually used by the examiner for the purpose of grading. The scientific content of your communication also maybe assessed simultaneously while assessing the communication skills. Below is a simple checklist to observe and comment on the communications skills of the health care professionals.

Checklist to assess communication skills

1. Patient greeted or presence acknowledged

2. Body language showed interest and concern

3. Appropriate eye contact

4. Appropriate position between health care professional(HCP) and the patient

5. Posture of the HCP

6. Use of 'Touch' as means of communication

7. Listening Skills of HCP

8. Tone of speech

9. Rate of speech

10. Volume of speech

11. Patient allowed to speak without interruption

12. Open and closed ended questions asked to elicit information

13. Paraphrasing done

14. Responded empathetically

15. Content appropriate (while giving information)

16. Simple understandable local language (no medical jargon)

17. Responded to patient’s queries

18. Impression about overall communication

19. Suggestions for improving communication