Journal Article: Challenges facing standardised patients representing equity-deserving groups: Insights from health care educators
By: Matt Sibbald et al
Submitted by: Marsha Harman, Rush Center for Clinical Skills and Simulation
Health professions training programs increasingly rely on standardized patient (SP) simulation to integrate equity-deserving groups into learning and assessment opportunities. However, little is known about the optimal approach, and many SP programs struggle to meet these growing needs. This study explored insights from healthcare educators working with SP programs to deliver curricular content around equity-deserving groups.
The authors interviewed 14 professionals who were involved in creating or managing SP-based education and analyzed the transcripts. Three themes were constructed: (i) creating safety for SPs paid to be vulnerable, (ii) fidelity as an issue broader than who plays the role and (iii) engaging equity-deserving groups. SP work involving traditionally marginalized groups risk re-traumatization, highlighting the importance of (i) informed consent in recruiting SPs, (ii) separating role portrayal from lived experiences, (iii) adequately preparing learners and facilitators, (iv) creating time-outs and escapes for SPs and (v) building opportunity for de-roling with community support.
This article raises important questions to consider when designing a simulation activity around equity-deserving groups and offers insights on how some of those issues might be addressed.
Read the full article in Medical Education here.
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