What is a Standardised (Simulated) Patient
Standardised (or Simulated) patient (SP) is a term used in simulation for a real person who may or may not be suffering from the condition you are hoping to replicate. Where the SP has not got the condition, often moulage is used (if there is a physical manifestation) to portray the condition, or the individual is coached in how they need to react to certain actions/questions. SP’s can be:
- Professional, experienced actors
- Volunteer Patients
- Drama Students
- Staff Volunteers with relevant and appropriate experience
Professional Experienced Actors
Sometimes these SP’s are experienced actors who, having years of experience who play the role of a patient or relative to increase the fidelity of the simulation. Using experienced medical simulation actors will incur a cost that can be reimbursed through charging a delegate course/training fee or through sponsorship.
Volunteer Patients
Many patients volunteer for this role with a view to help us improve patient safety, communication skills and care. Volunteer patients can offer unique insight into living with a condition or chronic illness or caring for a patient living with a condition or chronic illness. When we work with volunteer patients/carers we provide a safety net for them to ensure psychological safety making sure they are not impacted by the scenario they are taking part in which may involve revisiting disturbing or emotive situations.
Drama Students
Applied Theatre in the medical/clinical setting is an expanding area within the drama degree curriculum and symbiotic relationships can be developed with students taking on the role of patients. Students are supported on their placements by their university or drama school educator. Again, psychological safety of the student is paramount.
The picture above shows an SP with Ebola in an NHS Trust, this was taken during a simulation identifying latent threats in the Trusts processes and system. Following this simulation processes were changed immediately to ensure patient safety.
All wounds below are moulage and NOT real
