Patient Participant Programs

Standardized Participants (SPs)

A Standardized Patient (or “Standardized Participant” outside of patient care scenarios) is, in a word, an actor. Our SPs possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise in accurately portraying medical conditions, symptoms, and emotional responses that closely mirror real-life clinical scenarios. During the encounter, the SP provides information and feedback that allows a learner to navigate the interaction more masterfully in the real world.

SPs are adept at portraying complex medical cases, often involving multiple symptoms, comorbidities, or challenging diagnostic dilemmas. By immersing learners in these intricate scenarios, SPs help enhance their communication, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. The result? Healthcare professionals who can handle real-world challenges with confidence and expertise.

With their unparalleled commitment to realism, SPs can enhance the learning experience for both students and professionals - wherever people learn by doing. Industries that have collaborated with SPs include healthcare, business, law, education, emergency response, and human resources. SPs are a vital component of hands-on, experiential education.

Volunteer Patients (VPs)

We believe in delivering an exceptional healthcare education experience that prepares students and professionals for the complexities of real-world patient care. Central to this commitment is our esteemed team of VPs – individuals who generously contribute their time, experiences, and unique perspectives to enrich the learning journey of aspiring healthcare providers.

A VP is an invaluable member of our clinical education community, someone who willingly shares their lived experiences to help learners sharpen their skills, deepen their understanding, and foster empathetic care. VPs draw from their own illness experiences with the healthcare system, sharing their unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. These remarkable individuals come from diverse backgrounds, bringing with them a wealth of personal encounters with various medical conditions, treatments, and healthcare systems. They play an integral part in shaping the next generation of compassionate and competent healthcare professionals.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our VPs for their dedication, selflessness, and commitment to excellence. Together, we strive to create a transformative educational environment where healthcare professionals emerge as compassionate, and empathetic clinicians.

What are the main differences between SPs and VPs?

SPs simulate realistic interactions within the healthcare system and beyond. SPs guide learners toward specific learning outcomes based on your session needs and can participate in sessions both on and off-campus.

VPs share their real experiences within the healthcare system. For their safety and security, VPs can only participate in sessions within our clinical centres.

Standardization: SPs undergo rigorous training to ensure the consistent portrayal of role content, medical cases, symptoms, and/or responses. This standardization allows for reliable and objective assessments of learners' performance, delivering meaningful feedback, and identifying areas for improvement. The consistency provided by SPs ensures a fair and standardized learning experience for all students and professionals. On the other hand, VPs are not standardized in any way and do not learn scripts or lines prior to participation.

Feedback: SPs can provide structured and constructive feedback to learners, offering insights into their communication skills and bedside manners. VPs actively participate in collaborative learning sessions, debriefings, and discussions and share feedback based on their personal experiences. They can offer feedback in areas such as: bedside manner, interview / communication skills, and insights from the perspective of a real-life patient.