Comparison 3.

CST vs no CST: HCP communication skills: nurses only

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Used open questions	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.41 [‐0.23, 1.06]
1.1 Simulated patients	2	182	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.65 [‐0.07, 1.37]
1.2 Real patients	1	111	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.04 [‐0.42, 0.33]
2 Clarified and/or summarised	1		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
2.1 Simulated patients	1		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.2 Real patients	1		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3 Elicited concerns	1		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
3.1 Simulated patients	1		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Showed empathy	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.19 [‐0.04, 0.42]
4.1 Simulated patients	2	182	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.23 [‐0.06, 0.53]
4.2 Real patients	1	111	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.11 [‐0.27, 0.48]
5 Gave appropriate information	2	342	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.09 [‐0.31, 0.12]
5.1 Simulated patients	2	173	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.16 [‐0.46, 0.14]
5.2 Real patients	2	169	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.02 [‐0.32, 0.28]
6 Gave facts only	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.24 [‐0.65, 0.17]
6.1 Simulated patients	2	182	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.31 [‐0.98, 0.37]
6.2 Real patients	1	111	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.09 [‐0.47, 0.28]