SP Characteristics and Training

From Clinicaltools.com

SP Actor Characteristics

Standardized patients will meet the following criteria (ASPE)[1]:

• Clear communicator, articulate
• Not have a personal agenda about the illness or physicians
• Match gender (if audio is used, and if a video is used, race and age)
• Some acting ability to be able to convincingly simulate certain patient characteristics
• Able to communicate professionally
• Able to focus and follow guidelines carefully

• More Characteristics of SPs (Silverman, 2006)
• Summarizing skill
• Ability to Empathize

SP Actor Training

Standardized patients will be trained to (ASPE) [2]::

1. Describe confidentiality and how it will be maintained.
2. Simulate a clinical patient so closely that the clinician cannot detect the difference
3. Be consistent

The person providing feedback will be trained to (ASPE) [3]::

1. Communicate at a professional level
2. Be able to focus on and describe behaviors objectively and not be judgmental
3. Be able to handle conflict
4. Convey support and encouragement

Tips for SP training (Silverman, 2006)

• SPs meet a typical patient to develop the patient's voice
• Review a typical interview script
• SPs in training will watch experienced SPs
• Basic education in medical interviewing and good communication skills
• Monitor for comments likely to upset learners
• Assess in practice session by physician and psychology PhD for accuracy, authenticity, and constructive feedback
• All SPs react the same way to the same line of questioning and interactions
• Checked by expert consultants for authenticity

SPs must be trained in providing detailed, descriptive feedback (Kurts et al, 2004)

References Silverman J. Making it Real. A Practical Guide to Experiential Learning. Radcliffe Publishing, Oxford, U.K. 2006. Kurtz, SM., Silverman J, Draper JD. Teaching and Learning Communication Skills in Medicine. 2005; Radcliffe Publishing, Oxford.

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