Table 1.

Overview of MMI stations

Station number	Type	Main task	Example of behavioural descriptors on score sheets related to empathy and communication skills
1	Simulation	find a balance between one’s own interests and another person’s needs and motives	• recognises SP’s loneliness and the need for company • active listening
2	Interview	respond to a past-behavioural question concerning a situation in which the candidate felt frustrated	• thinks about possible reasons, motives and feelings of the other persons involved; coherently justifies his/her thoughts • structures his/her description
3	Simulation	reject a request of a worried patient	• demonstrates sympathy for the SP’s worries about his/her partner and for the insecurity of not knowing the diagnosis • communicates clearly
4	Interview	describe observations made in a video of an interaction between a mother and a son	• considers the structure of the relationship between the two in his/her analysis • descriptions are precise, […] to the point
5	Simulation	address a conflict (in a monologue)	• demonstrates appreciation for the other person (e.g. empathises positive sides and similarities, expresses wishes, takes the other person’s perspective) • describes clear motives
6	Simulation	shared-decision making	• expresses sympathy for feelings (e.g. desire for independence, disappointment / anger because of family, fear) • speaks clearly, slowly and comprehensibly
7	Interview	reflect on and interpret emotional statements by patients	• names emotions and thoughts • description is vivid and allows for a good understanding of the emotional situation

SP = simulated patient