Standardized Patients
The 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Healthcare Simulation Center Standardized Patient (SP) Program enhances the evidence-based experiential clinical skills training in Healthcare Sciences and University-wide interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs. The SP Program reinforces 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ’s commitment to preparing students to become healthcare professionals who provide outstanding, compassionate care to a diverse population of individuals.
The SP Program provides healthcare students the opportunity to interact with specially
trained actors who portray patients in simulation scenarios focused upon communication
skills, history taking, physical assessment, illness management, preventative care,
patient education, prioritization of care and critical thinking. Standardized Patients
(SPs) provide a real world dimension to the healthcare students’ clinical training.
Student awareness is heightened when SPs are interwoven into simulation scenarios
that represent real life situations. Realism directly strengthens patient-caregiver
interpersonal communication skills and promotes the incorporation of culturally focused
interactions which result in the provision of quality patient-centered care.
SPs are trained to provide consistency within the simulation experience using pre-set parameters that facilitate the students learning of course objectives. Additionally, verbal and written feedback from the SPs encourages the student to self-examine and independently problem solve to enhance and refine their clinical skills. The use of SPs is a proven method to assist students to build hands-on clinical and communication skills in their practice.