Explain what is meant by 'practitioner and patient interpersonal skills'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-2] Award 1 mark for a basic explanation of the term/concept. Award 2 marks for a detailed explanation of the term/concept.
2. [criterion] For example: Abilities that effect the communication between the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. This can include both verbal and non-verbal communication.
3. [criterion] Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
4. [1-2] Award 1-2 marks for a basic answer with some understanding of the topic area.
5. [3-4] Award 3–4 marks for a detailed answer with clear understanding of the topic area.
6. [criterion] 69 patients were interviewed using either a paper questionnaire or a computerised interview and they were randomly allocated to one of the two conditions. Each patient was asked to complete their case history on either the computer or on paper. Following this each patient was assessed by the doctor and had a physical exam. Data was compared to the information given in the doctor's notes. Both paper and computerised gained more information than the doctor assessment. Computer interview gained more symptoms than the paper questionnaire.
7. [criterion] Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
8. [criterion] Likely strengths include – useful, qualitative data collected so in depth, ecologically valid, reliable as standard procedure, fairly good sample size, ethics, etc.
9. [criterion] Likely weaknesses include – lack of generalisability due to the study just looking at one type of illness, cultural bias as many countries do not have computer systems available, validity/social desirability (participants may not wish to disclose personal information), etc.
10. [Level 3 (5-6 marks)] Candidates will show a clear understanding of the question and will discuss one strength and one weakness. Candidates will provide a good explanation with clear detail.
11. [Level 2 (3-4 marks)] Candidates will show an understanding of the question and will discuss one appropriate weakness in detail or one appropriate strength in detail. Candidates will provide a good explanation.
12. [Level 1 (1-2 marks)] Candidates will show a basic understanding of the question and will attempt a discussion of either a strength or a weakness. Candidates will provide a limited explanation.
13. [Level 0 (0 marks)] No response worthy of credit.
14. [criterion] Other appropriate responses should also be credited.