An individual trained to act as a real patient in order to simulate a set of symptoms or problems.
There is a need to create authentic, real-world, relevant learning experiences for teaching and assessment in healthcare education. There is a spectrum of simulation modalities that improve the learning environment, which in turn allow students to be better equipped to practice safely in health care. BCIT’s School of Health Sciences is a leader in simulation, many instructors and faculty integrate virtual and manikin simulation into curriculum. SoHS instructors are currently piloting this approach in some of our programs.
Healthcare students interact with real patients daily and require deliberate practice to develop the requisite skills in communication, conflict resolution and team work. One modality in simulation that supports achieving these learning outcomes are standardized patients (SP’s).
Trained SP’s realistically portray patients and immerse students into learning environments in which they engage in live experiences with real patients.