Become a Patient Participant

Our Patient Participants are instrumental in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, creating authentic patient-provider interactions within a controlled educational setting.

Interacting with Patient Participants from diverse backgrounds allows learners to develop holistic, patient-centered practices. Firsthand exposure to the unique challenges faced by patients across various age groups, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses fosters empathy, cultural competence, and nurtures an inclusive approach to healthcare and beyond.

The HscELP oversees 2 teams of Patient Participants: Standardized Participants (SPs) and Volunteer Patients (VPs).

Standardized Participants (SPs)

SPs learn a role or present a specific condition and allow students and professionals to conduct interviews or physical assessments based on specific learning outcomes. SPs are trained to replicate clinical and/or realistic scenarios and provide learners with the opportunity to practice their history-taking, physical examination, and/or professional practices in a controlled and safe environment. This is a paid position and SPs stay "in character" when interacting with learners.

Our SPs are:

People 16 years of age and older
From all walks of life and experiences
Healthy or living with an illness or disability

Volunteer Patients (VPs)

VPs draw from their own illness experiences with the healthcare system, sharing their unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. VPs allow students to interview them about their lived experiences related to health, family, and lifestyle; or to conduct non-invasive physical examinations. By offering insights into their personal journeys, VPs help learners gain a broader understanding of the impact of illness, treatment, and healthcare delivery on individuals and communities. This perspective fosters a patient-centered approach and cultivates empathy and cultural competence.

Our VPs are:

People of any age (children, adults, and seniors)
From all walks of life and experiences
Healthy or living with an illness or disability

Patient Participant Commitments

Time Commitment

During the academic year (September to May), Patients Participants opt-in to sessions and participate on their own terms. Participants are offered shifts that meet our clients’ requested demographics to achieve desired learning outcomes.

SPs are casual Queen’s University employees and typically work 10 to 15 hours a month during the academic year.
VPs are not considered employees and do not receive remuneration.

Session Commitments

Our Patients participate in hands-on learning experiences in our clinical simulation centres on Campus and even off-site when requested.

Our sessions include clinical education scenarios with our future doctors, nurses, occupational and physical therapy students, as well as sessions outside of medical education (e.g., scenarios related to corrections, business, law, human resources, and more).

Patient Participants select which types of sessions they are interested and comfortable participating in.

Note: Our patient sessions do not involve the diagnosis or treatment of actual medical conditions. These learning sessions are not a substitute for care, advice, or treatment. Our students are at the very early stages of their learning and are not ready to perform these skills.