Benefits of Simulated Patient Use

There are many benefits associated with the use of Simulated Patients within a training programme, these are:

• Case specificity – Healthcare professionals are faced with case specific interactions on a daily basis. The use of SPs allows healthcare professionals and students to broaden their experience and gain valuable feedback, empowering them to deal with case specific interactions more confidently


• Convenience – SPs can be provided wherever and whenever they are needed


• Direct comparisons of competence – SPs create a safe environment in which it is possible to benchmark and compare clinical competence


• Safe Practice – SPs allow individuals to train in a safe yet realistic environment. Learners are given the opportunity to develop vital skills to become confident and competent professionals when faced with the same, or similar situations for real


• Evaluations – trained SPs give valuable, consistent feedback that highlights specific points for improvement

How can we use Simulated Patients?

Simulated Patients can be used to satisfy a variety of interpersonal training requirements and can work in a variety of situations.

We can work anywhere in the healthcare community and beyond, including:

• Individual surgeries
• Training Centres
• Further Education and Higher Education Institutions
• Teaching hospitals
• On behalf of PCTs and Trusts in any suitable environment
• Any other related application such as the emergency services and law-related disciplines.

Concentrating on an array of training needs such as:

• Dealing with challenging behaviour
• Breaking bad news
• Handling complaints – preventing complaints becoming official
• Interview training – running staff appraisals; disciplinary hearings; job interviews; mentoring staff etc
• Diversity training including language barriers
• Training packages for GP receptionists/NHS support workers – including telephone consultations

In addition to a cohort of hundreds of trained and experienced simulated patients, we can also provide:

• Professional facilitation
• Bespoke scenarios written to any specification
• Research in new areas
• Integrated options, helping you reach your audience in the best ways. This could include online learning solutions, DVDs, live training events or one-to-one coaching.