- SPs may also be utilized specifically to teach and practice physical exams/clinical skills, with or without an associated history.
- SPs are extensively used as a teaching and training resource in various medical, health and social service training programs. Human simulation with SPs can create a realistic patient or client encounter for learners to practice and enhance skills and techniques in a risk-free environment.
- SPs are a fundamental resource for curriculum needs across all programs within the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), as well as other departments and schools.
- Interactions with SPs provide a unique and safe environment for learners, as they are low risk and controllable.
The objective of an SP is to play a role with as little variability as possible to provide the same experience and quality of simulation to all learners. In training SPs, the focus is on standardizing the technique – the way each SP simulates a role – which includes how SPs respond to questions, engage with learners and provide feedback. Standardization in the way SPs are trained allows for experiences and results to be objectively and comparatively assessed.
Although encounters with SPs typically occur within the confines of a structured teaching or evaluation process, often with predetermined learning objectives, this teaching methodology provides an element of flexibility and customization. For example, the level of emotion and affect can be scaled up or down (i.e., “really” angry, “slightly” scared, “somewhat” withdrawn) to match the current level of learners and meet curriculum learning objectives.
Standardized Patients at McMaster University
Standardized Patients hold casual employee positions with McMaster University and are governed by the practices and procedures for SPs set by the Standardized Patient Program (SPP).
The SPP strives to provide SPs of varying ages, nationalities, physical characteristics and backgrounds/experiences. SPs are individuals with strong communication skills, who demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, and are comfortable with their bodies. Medical knowledge and acting backgrounds are not required to be an SP, though many have those skills. SPs are not expected to use their own medical history or experiences in the roles, they are prepared for simulation through training sessions and generally follow a script.
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.
During an interaction, SPs will respond to questions and assessments only when initiated by the learner(s). There is some degree of flexibility with the way an SP can portray the role to adapt to the level and needs of the learners. For example, the SP can be asked to be ‘more difficult’ to deal with or create a challenge for more advanced learners who have already mastered basic communication skills.