SP FAQs

A Standardized Patient, also known as an SP, is an individual specially trained to act as a patient for the instruction, practice, and assessment of physical examination and communication skills of students who are preparing to become healthcare providers. An SP is a significant resource for teaching and evaluating clinical skills. 

Dr. Howard Barrows, Neurologist, explains the SP position as “A person who has been carefully coached to simulate an actual patient so accurately that the simulation cannot be detected by a skilled clinician. In performing the simulation, the SP presents the gestalt of the patient being simulated; not just the history, but the body language, the physical findings, and the emotional and personality characteristics as well.” 

Our Standardized patients have two main roles: 

• The first role of an SP is to realistically simulate a real patient in a clinical situation. Some SPs simply provide students with an opportunity to practice physical examinations and interviewing skills with “real people”.  Other SPs are trained in the details of an actual case to include the history, personality, and abnormal physical findings that a patient may have. SPs are a highly realistic and effective learning and assessment tool to help the learner develop interview skills and physical examination techniques.
• The second role of an SP is to accurately document what occurred in the session with the learner on the checklists they are trained to complete.  They will evaluate the learner’s examination and communication skills in a supportive and informative way. An SP may also be called upon to provide verbal feedback to the learners.

Yes. Learners know they are working with Standardized Patients. They are told to behave and interact with SPs exactly as they would with real patients, as the SPs behave as they would with real healthcare providers. 

Depending on the goals of the encounter, an SP will wear either their usual clothing or a patient gown. If the encounter requires a physical assessment, SPs will wear a patient gown, shorts, and sports bra (ladies). Additionally, learners are taught to drape the SPs for modesty during examinations.

No. Depending on the goals of the encounter, learners simply complete physical assessments exactly as they would in a clinical environment. This does not include anything beneath your shorts or sports bra. The examinations are never invasive, no needles are used, no blood is drawn.  Some encounters do not even have a physical exam component, and will only involve an interview.

Yes, as long as your health issues do not prevent you from simulating the assigned role. Learners are instructed to ignore scars or marks that are not associated with the case.

No. We will teach you what you need to know. We do not expect you to learn an extensive amount of healthcare information, as “real” patients usually do not have a wealth of medical knowledge.  

No.  Faculty make all pass/fail decisions based on student performance.  Any checklists completed by SPs are used as input to assist them in their grading. 

Learners within our Simulation program are enrolled in all healthcare disciplines.

For some events, SPs simply cooperate for physical assessments or listen as the learners talk to them.  They are briefed when they arrive for these events.  For other events, Simulation faculty will provide case training beforehand to teach the SPs pertinent case details, including how to respond to a learner's questions and physical examination.  At the end of this training, the SPs practice until they are proficient and comfortable with the role. You are paid for attending all training sessions. 

No.  For certain events, some memorization of specific statements is required, but memorization of lengthy dialog is not expected.  At the end of a case training, SPs will know the case comfortably well.  Many events do not require preparation of any type. 

No. This position is a “less than part-time” job. Depending on the number of scheduled events and requested SP demographics, some weeks we may have several work opportunities for you, but other weeks we may have few or none.  Because of this fluctuation, we do not guarantee a certain number of hours.  You can accept or decline all work opportunities. 

SPs are paid $14-$16 per hour, depending on the skill level required to work the event. Please be aware that taxes are NOT deducted from earnings and no benefits are included.  In January, a 1099 will be issued to each SP who earned more than $600 in the previous calendar year. 

You will find an application link on our "Prospective SPs" page. If you would like additional information, you may contact us at simulation@southalabama.edu.