How to Incorporate Standardized Patients in Courses

Plan Ahead!

Initial accuracy in planning your activity will ensure a more predictable and high-quality service.

Our Services are Available for:

Teaching

Single student
Small group

Long-case, e.g. complete history/physical
Multiple-skills sampling exercises, e.g. OSCE

Clinical-skills techniques
Clinical presentation of pathology
Clinical presentation of symptoms, signs, or findings

Questions to think about when planning your activity:

Where do you want the activity to take place?
When were you thinking of conducting the activity?
What is the purpose of the activity?
Who is the activity for?
Do you have cases already prepared?
Do you want the standardized patient to provide feedback?
Do you want the activity videotaped?
What do you want the activity to be called?

In order to accurately estimate the cost of activities, we need to fully understand both the conceptual goals of the activity as well as determine the program resources and logistics that are necessary to achieve those goals. This promotes both efficient internal processes and effective outcomes.

Development Time Frame:

Exact time span for development from concept to completion will vary according to your needs. The following estimates may be used as a guide:

SP case development—six to eight weeks.
SP recruitment and preparation—six to 12 weeks.
Planning, preparation, and execution of large-scale clinical examinations usually take four to six months from start to finish.

Costs:

Estimates are individually prepared. Included categories are:

Patient time for preparation and presentation
Staff time for development and support
Material costs for preparation and presentation

Do you have an idea but are not sure how to make it happen? The Advanced Clinical Education Center can help guide you through the process of planning an activity. Call 412-648-8702, or send an e-mail to: acec@medschool.pitt.edu.

Documents: Activity Plan Template; Sample Case 1 - History; Sample Case 2 - History & Physical Exam; Sample Checklist; Case Writing Template

School of Medicine Office of Medical Education