What is a Standardized Patient (SP)?
  • Standardized Patients (SPs) are individuals who are trained to portray a patient with a specific condition in a realistic, standardized and repeatable way in which portrayal varies based only on learner performance. 
  • The emphasis is on consistency, i.e., standardization of the patient presentation which does not vary from learner to learner or from SP to SP. 
  • SP training can be extensive with every response carefully thought through and rehearsed. 
  • Emotional patient portrayal (“affect”) is needed. 
  • Feedback:
    • What are the types of feedback?
      • Assessment - Evaluates the ability to perform an activity proficiently.
      • Patient Perspective Format used is that of "When you did X (action), I felt Y (emotion) because I felt Z (explanation).”
      • Both – (Assessment of Skills and Patient Perspective) Usually in the form of a checklist, with additional comments from the patient perspective
    • Delivery of feedback
      • Verbal, written, both
 
  • Cleveland Clinic SPs are standardized in both character and affect and must be able to repeat the requested scenario multiple times.