In this study, Manager of Research Analysis Angelo D’Addario, Ann King, PhD, and coauthors demonstrate how the Video-based Communication Assessment (VCA) can be used to help train medical residents on delivering weight management counseling.

In VCA debriefing interviews with residents, five themes emerged:

1. Overall the VCA was easy to use, helpful and more engaging than traditional learning and assessment modes.
2. Patient scenarios were similar to those encountered in the clinic, including diversity, health literacy and different stages of change,
3. The knowledge, skills, and reminders from the VCA can be transferred to practice.
4. Feedback reports were helpful, to the point and informative, including the exemplar response of how to best respond to the scenario.
5. The VCA provide alternatives and practice scenarios to real-life patient situations when they aren’t always accessible.