Standardized Patient I

A Standardized Patient (SP) is an individual carefully trained to portray the characteristics of a patient, family member, health care team member, etc., for the purpose of training and/or assessing health care students and professionals. SPs are interviewed and/or undergo physical examination by healthcare trainees or professionals, utilizing scripted materials to portray the specifics of a patient or scenario, including personal history, symptoms, emotional characteristics, and concerns of patients or family members. SPs are non-biased and are able to portray any role and demeanor, providing an opportunity for health care students and providers to practice or refine communication and examination skills in a safe learning environment before utilizing these skills on actual patients. Standardized Patients are also an integral part of the learner assessment process, often providing constructive written and verbal feedback, from a patient’s perspective.