A cluster design controlled trial of arts-based observational skills training in primary care

Objective To investigate whether the observational skills of doctors and nurses can be improved by arts‐based observational skills training. Methods We carried out a cluster design, controlled trial involving 42 general practitioners and 26 primary care nurses in 12 primary care practices in London. Six practices were allocated to the intervention arm and 6 to the control arm. The intervention group received 90 minutes of arts‐based observational skills training. The control group received practical training in the management of psoriasis. Before and after this, control and intervention participants were asked to describe 3 dermatological photographs. Descriptions were scored blindly against a predetermined marking key. Participants completed a questionnaire about the intervention, and about their own confidence in diagnosing and referring suspicious pigmented skin lesions. Results Post‐intervention scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (P