The Use of Mock Standardized/Simulated Patient Encounters in Facilitating Development of Clinical Competence in Medical Students

Background Standardized patient (SP) encounters are used in medical school to mimic clinical practice by exposing students to possible clinical situations they may encounter in future practice. SP includes trained individuals who portray the roles of patients to help medical students practice recording medical histories, physical exam skills, communication skills, and typing a subjective, objective, assessment and plan (SOAP) note. The goal of SP is to prepare medical students adequately during their didactic years before beginning clerkships. SP encounters have become standard in medical school curriculums, but the option for a mock SP encounter has not. Methods In this study, a total of 34 participants completed an eight-question survey before a mock SP experience and after their graded SP encounters to assess the students' confidence levels and preparedness. Each question addressed a different aspect of the student’s satisfaction and attitude regarding the SP encounters. The answers were measured on a Likert scale from 1 (not prepared) to 5 (very prepared). The central tendency (mean) was analyzed using a T-test with Welch's method. The standard deviation was analyzed using Bonett's test. A Cronbach’s alpha was used to show the reliability of the survey used. Results The first four questions addressed the student’s satisfaction with their mock SP experience. The mean student satisfaction with being able to ask questions to improve their knowledge and understanding improved, with a p-value of < 0.001. Student satisfaction with having the opportunity to record a patient’s history improved, with a p-value of < 0.001. The overall satisfaction with having a chance to practice physical exam skills improved, with a p-value of < 0.001. Mean student satisfaction with practicing treatment and counseling of patients improved, with a p-value of <0.001. The final four questions addressed the students' attitudes regarding their experience. The mean confidence of students improved, with a p-value of <0.001. Students also reported an improved attitude towards the feedback they received, with a p-value of <0.001. The final two questions did not show a statistically significant difference in answers. Students rated the final two questions equally before and after the mock SP experience, with p-values > 0.05. These questions addressed whether mock SP encounters would be beneficial and asked if they wanted additional mock simulation opportunities built into the curriculum. Conclusions The students showed improved confidence, attitudes, and satisfaction surrounding standardized patient encounters. The results supported the hypothesis that there would be a difference between the responses before and after the SP encounter. The questionnaire showed that the students reported subjective changes in their competence following the encounter.