SP FAQs

▼   What is a standardized patient?
A standardized patient, also known as an SP, is an individual specially trained to act as a patient for the instruction, practice, and assessment of physical examination and communication skills required by healthcare providers. An SP is a significant resource for teaching and evaluating clinical skills. Some additional definitions include:
“A person who has been carefully coached to simulate an actual patient so accurately that the simulation cannot be detected by a skilled clinician. In performing the simulation, the SP presents the gestalt of the patient being simulated; not just the history, but the body language, the physical findings, and the emotional and personality characteristics as well.” Dr. Howard Barrows, Neurologist
▼   What does a standardized patient do?
Standardized patients typically have three main roles. These roles include role-play, documentation, and feedback.
  • The first role of an SP is to realistically simulate the role of a patient in a clinical situation. SPs are trained in the details of an actual case to include the history, personality, and abnormal physical findings that a patient may have. SPs are intended to be a highly realistic learning and assessment resource for the learner to develop interview skills and physical examination techniques.
  • The second role of an SP is to accurately document what occurred in the session with the learner on the checklists you are trained to complete.
  • The third role of the SP is to facilitate learning and provide verbal and written feedback to the learners about their data gathering (interviewing and physical examination), communication, and interpersonal skills in a supportive and informative way.
▼   Do the learners know we are not real patients?
Yes. Learners know they are working with standardized patients. They are told to behave and interact with SPs exactly as they would with real patients.
▼    Will I need to take my clothes off?
 Depending on the goals of the encounter, SPs may wear usual clothing or patient gowns. If the encounter requires a physical assessment, both male and female SPs wear shorts and female SPs wear a sports bra, under a patient gown.
▼   Will the learners assess all of me?
No. Depending on the goals of the encounter, learners simply complete physical assessments exactly as they would in a clinical environment. This does not include anything beneath your shorts or sports bra.
▼   I have surgical scars and previous health issues. Can I still be a standardized patient?
Yes, as long as your health issues do not prevent you from simulating the assigned role. Learners are instructed to ignore scars or marks that are not associated with the case.
▼    Do I have to know a lot about medicine or healthcare?
No. We will teach you what you need to know. We do not expect you to learn an extensive amount of healthcare information.
▼   Will I have to decide if the learner passes or fails?
No.  Faculty make all pass/fail decisions based on student performance.  
▼   What students will I be working with?
Learners include all healthcare disciplines.
▼   How will I know what to say and do?
Simulation Faculty will provide case training prior to any scheduled event. SPs learn case details and are trained on how to answer learner's questions and respond to physical examination.  SPs then practice until proficient with the role. 
▼   Will I have to memorize a lengthy script?
No. Some memorization of specific statements is required, but memorization of lengthy dialog is not expected.
▼   Is this a full time job?
No. Quite often, our SPs think of this as a less than part-time job. Depending the number of scheduled events and demographic needs, some weeks require a high number of SPs while other weeks have limited or no need.
▼   How much does the job pay?
SPs are paid $12 per hour, with a minimum of three hours per scheduled event. Taxes are not deducted from earnings and no benefits are included.  A 1099 will be issued to each SP if $600 or more is earned annually.
▼   I’m interested or have additional questions. What do I do next?

You will find an application link and instructions on how to apply on our "Prospective SPs" page. If you would like more information, you may contact us at simulation@southalabama.edu.

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