Simulated Patient - Uses

Uses

Simulated patients are extensively used in medical and nursing education to allow students to practice and improve their clinical and conversational skills for an actual patient encounter. SPs commonly provide feedback after such encounters. They are also useful to train students to learn professional conduct in potentially embarrassing situations such as pelvic or breast exams. SPs are also used extensively in testing of clinical skills of students, usually as a part of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. Typically, the SP will use a checklist to record the details of the encounter.

Standardized patients have also been sent unannounced in physician practices to evaluate standards of care. They are also employed in health informatics research.