A Standardized Patient (SP) is an individual who has been trained to consistently and accurately simulate an actual medical condition or disease, including a patient's history, physical findings, personality and/or behavior.

SPs are trained to evaluate learners' performance, provide feedback on professionalism, communication and clinical skills, which may include physical examination techniques.

A standardized patient can serve as a model in some activities, and highly skilled SPs can be trained as Teaching Associates for special activities as well.

Thus, an SP can serve as a patient, teacher and evaluator and allow learners the opportunity to practice repeatedly in a safe, and controlled realistic atmosphere with nonjudgmental feedback.

Educational activities involving SPs can be formatted in multiple fashions such as one-on-one sessions, for communication skills practice, or small group and large group sessions.

Potential uses of the SP Program for learning experiences of healthcare professionals includes:

• Supervised practice and training
• Objective Structures Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
• Demonstration
• Hybrid simulations with high-fidelity manikins
• Videotaping
• Remediation training
• Training videos

Adult Standardized Patient Classifications

Level I:

Standardized Patient Actors

These individuals can portray cases requiring minimal skill (i.e. surgery consent) to complex cases (i.e. multiple personality); Individuals expertise level is matched with the case complexity and department objectives.

Level II:

Standardized Patient Models

These individuals serve as models for breast, genital and urological exams.

Level III:

Teaching Associates

These individuals are highly skilled SPs that have been trained extensively to teach physical, genital and urological exams.

Pediatric Standardized Patient Classifications

The following classification describes ages and activities that pediatric SPs can be considered for:

12 weeks to 4 years old

No training of or role-playing

5 to 9 years old

Limited training of and some role-playing

10 to 15 years old

Training of and role-playing as age and experience appropriate

16 to 17 years old

Advanced training of and role playing

A parent or legal conservator/guardian of an SP age 13 years or less is required to also be an SP and participate with the pediatric SP at each activity. Please consider this requirement as cases involving children are being developed.

The SP Program designates four case levels that pediatric SPs can participate in. Cases will be assigned by the SP Program staff based on age categorization, experience, preparation, flexibility, punctuality, performance history and professionalism.

Novice:

Cases that require minimal skill, e.g., consent

Intermediate:

Cases without a physical exam component

Advanced:

Cases with a physical exam component, e.g., well-child visit

Specialized:

Complex cases (with or without a physical exam), e.g., puberty, mental health

No case will involve a full examination of a pediatric SP's breasts and/or genitalia. However, a physical exam of a pediatric SP age 4 years or less may, with the parental/guardian consent, include brief observation of the child's breasts and/or genitalia.

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