The importance of simulated patients in health science student education

CBC Radio speaks with members of USask's Clinical Learning Resource Centre (CLRC) Simulated Patient Program to discuss the importance of — and current need for — simulated patients to assist health science student education.

The Clinical Learning Resource Centre (CLRC) Simulated Patient Program provides critical learning experiences for health science students in a safe, nonthreatening environment.

A simulated patient—or SP—is an individual trained to portray patients, family members, and healthcare team members in learning sessions, assessments, and examinations while under the supervision of a licensed instructor.

As part of the educational team, SPs support simulation-based education and experiential learning for health science learners and CLRC community partners. Learning objectives may include developing communication and interprofessional skills, demonstrating non-invasive physical procedures, or a combination of both.

The participation of trained simulated patients in the SP Program is the foundation from which University of Saskatchewan (USask) students are able to apply newly acquired attitudes, skills, and knowledge in a simulated healthcare environment.

*This interview originally aired on CBC Radio on Sept. 7, 2021.