The goal of the Standardized Patient Program is to provide clinical skills training to both undergraduate and graduate healthcare learners. We aim to create a safe, supportive and systematic environment in which our students can develop and practice interviewing skills for taking health histories, perform physical examinations and communicate effectively with patients. The Program supports the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville’s commitment to produce medical professionals committed to transforming the health and wellness of communities.
Standardized patient simulation involves the use of individuals trained to portray the roles of patients, family members or others to allow students to practice physical exam skills, history taking skills, communication skills and other exercises. The Simulated/Standardized Patient (SP) is a person who has been carefully coached to portray an actual patient with a particular medical problem, medical history, certain personality and emotional traits. In performing the simulation, the SP presents the patient in such a genuine manner that disbelief around the simulation is suspended thereby affording the student an opportunity to learn and to be evaluated on learned skills in the simulated clinical environment.
Standardized Patients:
- are carefully recruited and trained to portray the characteristics of a real patient
- are age 18 and older
- include men and women with all body types and diverse ethnic backgrounds
- work contractually through Prisma Health-Upstate
- have education beyond the high school level and/or successful employment experience(s)
- posses the ability to consistently reproduce the history, physical findings and emotions of the “real patient” multiple times a day
- multitask by portraying the patient and remembering the encounter accurately in order to complete a checklist of interview questions, physical exam and communication skills
- are trained to provide constructive feedback, either written or orally
With over 8,500 square feet, the Clinical Skills Suite serves as a fully-equipped environment for both healthcare learners and professionals to improve their skills and ability to provide the very best health care for their future patients.
Interested in becoming a standardized patient?
Read our frequently asked questions about becoming a standardized patient and apply.