Nurse Practitioner Patient Programs

Standardized Patients need to be able to portray emotions relevant to their case, such as discomfort, worry, or low mood. You may also display physical symptoms such as pain or difficulty breathing. And SPs need to be able to answer questions “in character” about the details of the patient’s medical and social history as outlined in the case notes provided to them. We always hold an extensive training session for each case before each event. During training, we’ll work with you on how to portray emotions and symptoms in the most appropriate way for the case and review the details of the patient’s medical and social background.

SPs need to be able to memorize many details of the case to be able to answer questions correctly. They have to communicate well (both in training and during simulations), be reliable, and have the stamina to participate in multiple rounds of simulation of their case throughout the event day.

Some simulations involve physical examinations, but these are always neutral and non-invasive. The student Nurse Practitioner may listen to your heart, lungs, or belly sounds. They may use their hands to examine your knee (for a knee-pain case), or ask you to move your joint in particular ways to test what is “wrong.” They might use instruments to look into your ears, or to test your reflexes.

Depending on the case, you would either remain fully dressed or wear light clothing underneath a hospital gown we provide. You would not be asked to uncover even during examinations. It is always your choice whether to accept a case involving a physical examination.

Your comfort is our top priority. Some SPs specify which kinds of cases they prefer not to be involved in, such as those involving particular mental health concerns or a history of abuse. Just let us know if you have any preferences, and we’ll note that in our records.

A few weeks before each event, we hold a training session to review the details of the case and practice the simulation. We review the details of the case and the emotional state and physical symptoms or reactions to portray. There are always multiple Standardized Patients covering each role, so we meet as a group to learn from one another and to ensure each SP portrays the patient in a way consistent with the others. These sessions are held online (Zoom video call), usually for 1.5–2 hours.

Yes, Standardized Patients are paid an honorarium for their work on the event day, and also for the preparation time and training beforehand.

Standardized Patients commit to spending about 3-4 hours preparing, both on their own in reviewing and memorizing their case material and in attending the required training session. They also commit to attending the event as scheduled (usually 6-8 hours). Participating in one event, however, is not a commitment to participate in future events. We hire SPs for each event separately.

In the Nurse Practitioner Program, we hold several types of simulation events.

Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs): OSCEs (pronounced “oz-keys”) are examinations in which students are evaluated on their clinical skills. Each simulation typically takes 10 minutes, plus some preparation and debriefing time for the students. Some OSCE days are held in person and others are virtual sessions (held on Zoom). Each Standardized Patient will usually engage in 9-12 rounds of simulation of their case during an OSCE.

Virtual Diagnostic Reasoning Days (VDRs): VDR Days offer a series of simulations of virtual-care (telehealth) visits. VDRs allow students to polish the unique skills required for virtual care. VDRs are held on Zoom. Students work in groups of 3 with one student designated as the lead NP to engage with the SP in the simulation. Each SP will usually participate in 6 rounds of simulation on a VDR Day.

Courageous Conversations: This event simulates challenging situations such as sharing a serious diagnosis or dealing with concerns about abuse. The focus for students is more on communication skills rather than medical details. Courageous Conversations simulations are held in person. There are no physical examinations. Each SP will usually participate in 6 rounds of simulation.

Modified OSCEs: in the first year of their program, student Nurse Practitioners are introduced to the OSCE format through modified OSCEs (MOSCEs) which are slightly simpler in content and allow more time for the si

No! We welcome Standardized Patients from across British Columbia and beyond, as many of our simulations are virtual events, held on Zoom.

We take several things into account when selecting Standardized Patients for roles. First, we match demographic characteristics such as age, gender, or ethnicity, where these are relevant to the medical details of the case.

Sometimes, physical characteristics are important, such as being quite burly or slim. We might avoid selecting a particular SP if they have physical features that could confuse the students. For example, if a student will be examining the knee and an SP has a real surgical scar on their knee, we may avoid selecting that person as an SP for the knee case so the student doesn’t wonder if a previous surgery is responsible for the patient’s symptoms.

We also take into account the SP’s preferences and experience. Some particularly like certain types of roles, or wish to avoid others. We usually start novice SPs with simpler cases and offer more challenging roles as they gain experience.

Standardized Patient work can be demanding! We take care to protect the safety and comfort of SPs at all times, but it can be draining to repeat a simulation multiple times per day, particularly if the role requires you to portray challenging emotions such as pain or distress. It also can be taxing to be physically examined repeatedly, or to have to sit in an unusual position to portray a relevant symptom.

Most SPs find the work rewarding – or they wouldn’t do it! But we urge you to look after yourself after a day of simulations. SPs step away from their role at the end of the day in different ways; find what works for you, whether that’s ensuring you have a quiet evening after the event, or having dinner with family or friends, or booking a massage for the next day. We are grateful for the work SPs do and want to support your wellbeing.

Simulation has been part of the education of health professionals for decades if not centuries and continues to become more and more integrated into coursework for Nurse Practitioners, physicians, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, and many other professionals. Part of the reason why simulation is so important is that it always involves a debriefing component after the role-play portion is finished. Debriefing goes beyond just talking about what happened and correcting errors. Structured debriefing led by skilled facilitators helps students reflect and refine their skills in a way that isn’t typically possible from classroom learning alone, or even from real-world work with patients.

Simulation couldn’t happen without Standardized Patients, so you will be an important part of this crucial educational work.

As a Volunteer Patient, you’ll meet with small groups of student Nurse Practitioners – usually a handful of groups in one morning. You’ll share with them your experience with a particular medical condition. Unlike acting as a Standardized Patient, there is no fictional case to study; you’re discussing your own real-life experience. We welcome Volunteer Patients who live with a range of conditions, including heart, neurological, or autoimmune disorders.

The goal of meeting with Volunteer Patients is for students to go beyond the technical medical details they are studying and gain some insight into the impact that your condition has on your life. Students usually note how valuable they find these sessions as they refine their skills and professional approach to being a primary care provider. 

These are informal sessions, typically with everyone seated in a classroom in a circle to talk. You might relate your experience of being diagnosed with your condition, what it’s like to live day-to-day with it, what you find most helpful from the health professionals who care for you, what you have found unhelpful, and so on. You decide what you think is important to talk about. Sometimes, more than one Volunteer Patient with the same or similar condition may meet together with the student groups. Each can relate their own perspective and students learn about how different individuals have different experiences of the same medical condition.

No, Volunteer Patient sessions do not involve students or instructors giving medical advice.

Volunteer Patients commit to attending their scheduled event, usually a half-day. No preparation is required as you’re sharing about your own experiences.