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Effective strategies are needed to address the health behaviors of older patients with diabetes. One approach is health coaching, the practice of health education and health promotion through a structured partnership designed to enhance well-being and facilitate the achievement of individuals' health-related goals. The aim of this study was to describe the development of a pilot health coaching curriculum, investigate its effects on geriatric patient outcomes, and examine qualitative feedback by older patients and medical students to the curriculum. This mixed-methods study involved 29 first-year medical students randomly paired with 29 older adults with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), stage of change movement, diabetes knowledge, locus of control, Body Mass Index (BMI), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed. Focus groups were used to evaluate patients' and medical students' experiences. Results showed significant increases in patients' HRQoL and stage of change for exercise improved significantly over time. There were no significant changes in stage of change for healthy diet and medication, diabetes knowledge, BMI, and HbA1c from baseline to end of study. Focus group data indicated positive responses by older patients and the medical students. A health coaching curriculum may improve patient outcomes and can provide medical students the skills needed to provide compassionate care for geriatric patients.

Several factors affect observed racial/ethnic health disparities in the United States. Among them are features of provider-patient communication. In Study 1, the literature in patient communication skills training is reviewed to determine the extent to which researchers have reported comparative effects of interventions designed to enhance patients' communication skills and participation in medical interviews. Of the 27 studies reported, only 1 conducted a comparative analysis. In Study 2, a post hoc analysis of available communication skills training data sets is conducted to explore comparative intervention effectiveness. Similar to the results of the single report found in Study 1, the communication intervention was more effective with White than with non-White patients. These results are discussed with respect to implications for addressing racial/ ethnic health disparities. Keywords: health disparities; racial/ethnic; patient communication; patient participation

The article presents a study conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network (AAFP NRN) which looks into the question-asking behavior of patients through Ask Me 3 (AM3) health communication program during the primary care visits in the U.S. The study gain no evidence of proving the rate of questions asked by patients or better medication compliance using the AM3 intervention. It reveals that the use of specific, personalized intervention could be more effective.

The article reports on the results of a study conducted at the Ohio State University College of Medicine (OSU COM) which describe 20 years of experience with a required service learning curriculum entitled "Community Project" (CP). The study includes tracking of the total numbers of students devote to service-learning projects and to assess student involvement in service learning courses. Results of the study show that service-learning curricula can improve health care and help medical students grow personally and professionally. The study also cites that students from OSU COM benefited from the 20-year history with service-learning education.

Background: Communication problems impede effective symptom management during chemotherapy. The primary aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of a personal digital assistant-delivered communication intervention on pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Secondary aims included assessment of 1) study feasibility, 2) patient and clinician responses to study participation, and 3) intervention effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and communication self-efficacy., Methods: Intervention group participants (n = 27) completed symptom inventories at baseline, once per week during treatment, and at posttreatment. Depending on symptom severity, they viewed race-concordant videos on how to communicate about pain, depression and/or fatigue, using the personal digital assistant. Symptom records were tracked and shared with clinicians. Control group participants (n = 23) received usual care. Longitudinal random effects modeling assessed the changes in average symptom scores over time. Descriptive statistics assessed study feasibility and intervention effects on HRQoL and communication self-efficacy. Postintervention focus groups, interviews, and surveys assessed responses to study participation., Results: Mean age of the participants was 51.0 years; 42 participants (84%) were white. In comparison with control, intervention group participants reported lower average pain severity over time (P = .015). Mean pain interference scores over time were marginally different between groups (P = .07); mean depression and fatigue scores over time were statistically nonsignificant. Feasibility outcomes and perspectives about study participation were positive. Mean pre-post decreases in HRQoL were generally higher among intervention group participants; pre-post changes in communication self-efficacy were equivalent., Conclusion: Mixed findings of the study indicate the need for future research.

Background and Objectives: A wide body of research suggests that the nature of communication between patients and physicians is strongly related to health outcomes. Interventions that involve teaching patients to communicate with physicians are important to assess in this context., Methods: We conducted a review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the outpatient setting from 1975 to 2000. Patient communication interventions were classified as high, medium, or low intensive, depending on the length of the intervention, use of personnel, and estimated cost. Characteristics of 16 studies were examined, including sample populations, types of interventions, and the nature of health outcomes., Results: Patient improvement in a variety of outcomes as a result of communication training was demonstrated. Positive change variables included patient communication, medical outcomes, functional status, and adherence to treatment. Studies revealed mixed findings on the outcome of patient satisfaction. All US studies suggested that pre-visit training had no effect on the overall length of the medical visit., Conclusions: Studies indicated improvement in a variety of patient outcomes. However, the wide variation in study design, interventions, and outcomes hinders the ability to draw well-founded conclusions. Future research needs to further address biopsychosocial outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and their relationship.