Table 1 Overview of MMI stations
From: Validity evidence for the Hamburg multiple mini-interview
Station number | Type | Main task | Example of behavioural descriptors on score sheets related to empathy and communication skills |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Simulation | find a balance between one’s own interests and another person’s needs and motives | • recognises SP’s loneliness and the need for company • active listening |
2 | Interview | respond to a past-behavioural question concerning a situation in which the candidate felt frustrated | • thinks about possible reasons, motives and feelings of the other persons involved; coherently justifies his/her thoughts • structures his/her description |
3 | Simulation | reject a request of a worried patient | • demonstrates sympathy for the SP’s worries about his/her partner and for the insecurity of not knowing the diagnosis • communicates clearly |
4 | Interview | describe observations made in a video of an interaction between a mother and a son | • considers the structure of the relationship between the two in his/her analysis • descriptions are precise, […] to the point |
5 | Simulation | address a conflict (in a monologue) | • demonstrates appreciation for the other person (e.g. empathises positive sides and similarities, expresses wishes, takes the other person’s perspective) • describes clear motives |
6 | Simulation | shared-decision making | • expresses sympathy for feelings (e.g. desire for independence, disappointment / anger because of family, fear) • speaks clearly, slowly and comprehensibly |
7 | Interview | reflect on and interpret emotional statements by patients | • names emotions and thoughts • description is vivid and allows for a good understanding of the emotional situation |