Table 1.

Overview on measures using a modified version of Kirkpatrick’s four levels of training evaluation [21]

		t0	t1	t2
Level 1: Reaction (What are participants’ reactions to the CST?)
Rating of the training (self-developed)			X
Level 2: Learning (What is the impact of the CST on participants’ self-efficacy regarding communication with patients, knowledge about patient-centered communication, communication skills, and attitudes towards medical communication?
Primary outcome: Self-efficacy regarding communication skills with patients (SE-12-G)		X	X	X
Subjective knowledge (self-developed)		X	X	X
Objective knowledge (self-developed)		X	X	X
Attitudes towards medical communication (Attitudes Towards Medical Communication Scale)		X		X
Level 3: Behavior (What is the impact of the CST on participants’ communication behavior with patients?)
Communication skills from external observers’ perspective (SPAs to assess communication skills)				X
Communication skills from simulation patients’ perspective (EPAT items (short version))				X
Self-assessed communication skills applied at SPA (EPAT items (short version), adapted to HCPs)				X
Covariate: Performance test anxiety (PTA)				X
Level 4: Results (What is the impact of the CST on participants’ work-related mental burden?)
Professional fulfillment (PFI-G)		X	X	X
Depression & anxiety (PHQ-4)		X	X	X
Subjective working capacities (dimension 1 and 2 of WAI)		X	X	X
Covariate (What factors may have an influence on the results of the four levels?)
Impact of contamination (self-developed)	IG	X
	CG	X	X	X
Perceived person-centeredness of healthcare settings (EPAT, short version)		X		X

CG waitlist-control group, CST communication skills training, EPAT Experienced Patient-Centeredness Questionnaire, IG intervention group, PFI-G German version of Professional Fulfillment Index, PHQ-4 Patient Health Questionnaire 4, PTA Performance Test Anxiety, SE-12-G German version of Self-Efficacy of Communication Skills Scale, SPA standardized patient assessment, WAI Work Ability Index