Objective: 
The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston came together and formed a consortium in February 2001.  Each institution’s standardized patient (SP) program operates independently, but all three draw from the same SP pool. To facilitate recruitment of new SPs to all three programs, we elected to develop a consortium SP application form.  We present the process and resulting product.

Methods: 
After comparing each institution’s SP application we incorporated elements that were alike.  We discussed the fundamental items needed to offer us the most pertinent information.   Key categories included:  personal information,  occupation, education, languages spoken, computer literacy, medical information, SP  experience, scars, physical conditions, smoking/drinking habits, real life experiences with health issues, availability and reasons for wanting to participate.  We recognized that certain information is not absolutely needed prior to interviewing a prospective SP, because these items are discussed during the initial interview.  While making these considerations the HIPAA rules were closely regarded.  Previously included questions that were deleted from the combined application included: items describing a variety of specific medical ailments and descriptive portrayals (e.g.: athletic looking, submissive and blue collar)  We also determined that details in reference to physical conditions such as abnormal lung sounds, knee or joint damage and nerve damage were not items needed on a basic application.

Results:

A combined application has been developed that serves the needs of all three programs.  It is posted on our consortium website, can be completed rapidly by potential SPs, and is submitted effortlessly to all three schools.

Conclusion: 
Collaborative efforts allowed us to streamline several previously lengthy forms..  The web-based form provides for an immediate database of SP information .  All current Standardized Patients have been encouraged to complete the new consortium application online