Table 3. Descriptive data of the included rating scales.
| Measure | Authors (Year) | Underlying definition of communication skills | Language | Dimensions | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPSCALE | Silverman et al. (2011) | definition based on Calgary-Cambridge Guide | English | 6 | 15 | 4-point scale |
| Edgcumbe et al. (2012) | definition based on Calgary-Cambridge Guide | English | 6 | 15 | 4-point scale | |
| MCS-OSCE | Fischbeck et al. (2011) | own definition | German | n/r | n/r | 5-point scale |
| CCAT | Harasym et al. (2008) | definition based on Calgary-Cambridge Guide | English | 3 | 28 | 3-point scale |
| AG-OSCE-R | Hodges & McIlroy (2003) | n/r | English | 4 | 4 | 5-point scale |
| Scheffer et al. (2008) | n/r | German | 4 | 4 | 5-point scale | |
| Mortsiefer et al. (2014) | n/r | German | 4 | 4 | 5-point scale | |
| LCSAS* | Humphris & Kaney (2001) | n/r | English | 5 | 12 | 4-point scale |
| LUCAS | Huntley et al. (2012) | own definition | English | 2 | 10 | 4 items using 2 response options**; |
| 6 items using 3 response options*** | ||||||
| LIDM-RS | Thistlethwaite (2002) | n/r | English | n/r | 10 | 3-point scale |
| CG | Lang et al. (2004) | definition based on Toronto and Kalamazoo Consensus Statements | English | 7 | 36 | mixed |
| Van Nuland et al. (2012) | definition based on Toronto and Kalamazoo Consensus Statements | Dutch | 7 | 7 | 7-point scale |
*The LCSAS is just one part of the communication skills assessment system of Humphris & Kaney (2001). The LCSAS is intended to be applied with the Global Simulated Patient Rating Scale (GSPRS). We excluded the GSPRS since it is a rating scale used by SPs.
**The two response options were competent-unacceptable.
***The three response options were competent-borderline-unacceptable. n/r = not reported, cs = communication skills. Full titles of the rating scales: Explanation and Planning Scale (EPSCALE), Mayence Communication Skills OSCE (MCS-OSCE), Calgary-Cambridge Assessment Tool (CCAT), Analytic Global OSCE Rating (AG-OSCE-R), Liverpool Communication Skills Assessment Scale (LCSAS), Liverpool Undergraduate Communication Assessment Scale (LUCAS), Leeds Informed Decision Making Rating Scale (LIDM-RS), Common Ground (CG).