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	Standardized Patient Program Information for Students Prospective Standardized Patients Services and Support

What Is A Standardized Patient?

A Standardized Patient, or SP is a layperson trained to present a clinical scenario or illness just like a “real” patient, for teaching or testing.

What Does A Standardized Patient Do? What happens during an encounter with a student?

A typical encounter with a student may involve the SP being interviewed, counseled, or examined in the same manner as would occur during a regular doctor visit.
For certain sessions the SP is trained to provide constructive feedback to the student from the patient’s point of view.
In certain cases SPs are trained to score student performances, and provide a score.

Standardized Patients Do NOT:

Replace students’ experiences with real patients
Undergo invasive or potentially harmful examinations or procedures, e.g. rectal/pelvic exams, injections, etc.

Why Use Standardized Patients? What are the benefits of using SPs versus “real” patients?

The Standardized Patient is not actually “sick” and worried about their care. The SP can focus on the student’s actions.
Standardized Patients provide a “safe” environment for students to practice and perfect skills they will use with actual patients.
Students can practice their approach to a patient without the fear that making a mistake or saying something “wrong” may upset the patient.
The Standardized Patient is trained to portray a scenario identically every time, allowing each student the same learning opportunity.
Testing students’ “patient” skills using Standardized Patients ensures a more predictable and fair assessment.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Become A Standardized Patient?

We look for people:

How Am I Trained And Prepared To Be A Standardized Patient?

Interested persons are asked to complete an information form (available by contacting us by telephone or e-mail) that allows us to better match them with suitable cases. Potential SPs are contacted by one of our staff, and may be invited to come for an informal interview.
Program staff contact and discuss potential cases or scenarios with SPs before giving training materials.
Case materials are given to SPs to review for training.
SPs portraying the same case meet as a group with the SP Trainer for training, practice and standardization.
For certain cases SPs are trained to provide feedback and or score student performance.
Anywhere from 5-15 hours spread out over 3-5 sessions are usually needed for training a SP with a case. The amount of time needed will depend on the complexity of the case and SPs’ experience.
Before encountering students, SPs are required to successfully present or demonstrate their “character” for a faculty physician or SP trainer not directly involved with the training.

What Are SPs Used For?

Here are a few examples.

Students learn to interview a patient and gather information needed to help diagnose their problem.
Students practice effective interpersonal skills to better communicate with patients.
Students learn appropriate techniques and approaches for physical examination of patients.
Students learn techniques to counsel patients in a variety of circumstances on a variety of issues.
Students gain experience with challenging issues such as breaking bad news.
Testing any of the above.

How Does Becoming a Standardized Patient Benefit Me?

You Will:

Gain awareness that you are making a significant contribution to the training of our future physicians and health care providers.
Help further develop and fine-tune your own interpersonal communication skills.
Better understand how our health care system works.
Meet new people with a common interest.
Gain modest financial compensation.

Interested In Learning More About Becoming A Standardized Patient?

Please contact the Standardized Patient Program office at:

Simone Brennan, Director
P. (313) 577-1414