Standardized patients (SPs) are trained on cases that outline the story of the patient they are portraying, including details such as the reason for their visit, questions and concern(s), personal and medical history and physical signs and symptoms. Training also involves how to respond to learners’ questions and the appropriate portrayal of the patient’s affect and/or ailment.

Standardized patient training is designed to ensure that all SPs are comfortable with, and prepared for, various settings (in-person, virtual, hi-fidelity, in-situ simulations), as well as to refine role portrayal and feedback skills.

SPs are not to use their own medical history or experiences in the roles – they are prepared for simulation through training sessions and generally follow a script.

Standardized patients undergo multiple levels of training, beginning immediately upon hiring and continuing throughout their employment. This training includes:

• General orientation on the purpose of SPs, simulation settings, expectations of SPs, etc.
• Virtual platform training, if applicable
• Delivering effective feedback from the patient perspective
• Training on specific cases suitable for the SP’s demographic
• Role specific training, i.e., gynecological teaching associates(GTA)/urogenital teaching associate (UTA)