Growing use of standardized patients in teaching and evaluation in medical education

Abstract

In May 1993, a survey was sent to each U.S. and Canadian medical school requesting information about how standardized patients (SPs) are used for teaching and evaluating clinical skills. The survey was done to determine what change, if any, there has been in the use of SPs since a similar survey was done in 1989 (by Paula Stillman, MD, & colleagues¹). Ninety‐seven percent of the schools responded to the survey. One hundred eleven schools reported using SPs—an increase from 94 schools in 1989. Results of the survey support the perception that the use of SPs in the medical school curriculum is increasing, particularly the use of SPs for teaching and evaluating interviewing, medical history, and complete physical examination. Thirty‐nine of the 111 schools require students to take an examination before graduation, which involves using SPs to evaluate clinical skills. The need for a national resource or databank to house SP cases, training materials, and evaluation forms is highlighted.