GW SON SAIL Center Policy on Standardized Patients

Policy Statement 

Simulation is a psychologically safe learning environment for all participants. The use of Standardized Patients (SPs) including Genitourinary Teaching Assistants (GUTA) adds to the complexity of maintaining that safe environment for the  participants and the SPs. This policy provides support to maintain the safety of the all participants in the simulation center to include SPs, GUTAs, learners, faculty,  staff, and visitors.  

Additionally, Standardized/Simulated Patients/GUTAs (SPs) are trained to portray a  patient case and therefore, assess/document student performance, provide individualized feedback on clinical and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and represent patient satisfaction. During a specific event, they may receive specific training for completion of a checklist including physical examination techniques  (done/not done or correct technique/incorrect technique). Their feedback may consist of informing the student in a variety of platforms feedback specific to the simulated experiences. 

Reason for Policy

The usage of SP/GUTA during a simulation requires the simulation center to ensure  safety for the SP/GUTA and the learner.

Who is Governed by this Policy 

All learners, faculty and staff utilizing the SAIL Center or all participants of simulation scenarios supported by the SAIL Center (such as classroom simulations). SPGUTAs are governed by their contractual agreement with their parent institution.

Policy

Standardized patients/GUTAs have the right to expect respectful treatment and receive information and training specific to the role assigned. The SP/GUTA has the right to refuse a role that makes them uncomfortable and has the right to stop a  simulation scenario at any time they feel uncomfortable or that their safety is at risk.  

In the event a participant in a simulation scenario becomes physically or psychologically distressed, members of the simulation team will intervene to provide interventions as needed including alerting local Emergency Management when required. The priority is the health and safety of the participant. If the participant is an SP/GUTA, the SP/GUTA Handler will be notified of the issue and care needs will be provided to the participant based upon recommendations from the handler and activation of EMS as indicated. Documentation will be provided to the Director of Simulation and Experiential Learning (DSEL) and notification of appropriate personnel will be completed by the DSEL.  

SPs also have the right to feedback about their performance to allow for improvement in performance for future simulation scenarios. SP/GUTA evaluations will follow the evaluation policies of the SAIL Center. 

The examinations that they may participate in are instructional and are not to be considered a formal and complete medical evaluation. The supervising nurse and/or the learner does not replace their primary care physician. If an abnormal finding is discovered during a simulation, the SP will be informed and encourage to follow up with their primary care provider.

Definitions

Standardized Patient: a person trained to portray a patient in realistic and repeatable ways. SPs interact with learners in experiential education and assessment contexts. (Lewis, et al, 2017)  

GUTA: a person trained to teach as a genitourinary teaching assistant. GUTAs interact with  learners in experiential education to teach physical assessment and care of the genitourinary and  reproductive systems.  

Handler: a person with the SP/GUTA contracting company that is the liaison between the SP/GUTA and the contracting facility.  

Role Player: a person who assumes the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another) especially  in a make-believe simulation, in an effort to understand a different point of view or social  interaction. (Lioce, et al, 2020) 

Procedures 

• SP Scheduling 
• SP Cancellations 
• SP training
• SP debriefing 
• SP Payment 
• SP Handlers 
• SP minimum technology requirements 

Related Information

• See Certificates of Insurance from Parent SP/GUTA
• Contractors SP/GUTA Contractor Handbook

References

• Lewis, K., Bohnert, C., Gammon, W., Holzer, H., Lyman, L., Smith, C., Thompson, T., Wallace, A., & Gliva-McConvey, G (2017). The association of standardized  patient educators (ASPE) standards of best practice (SOBP). Advances in Simulation, 2 (10). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41077-017-0043-4 
• Lioce L. (ED.), Lopreiato J. (Founding Ed.), Downing, D., Chang, T., Robertson, J.,  Anderson, M., Diaz, D., and Spain. A (Assoc. Eds.) and the Terminology and Concpets Working Group (2020) Healthcare Simulation Dictionary (2nd ed). Publication No. 20-0019. https://doi.org/10.23970/simulationv2. 

Contacts 

Contact	Telephone	Email
Director of Simulation and  Experiential Learning	571-553-0115	cfarinagwu [dot] edu