Rosemary has a unique role in the IMP’s Patient Program. Unlike other participants, the medical conditions she presents to students are not her own.
Instead, as a Standardized Patient (SP), Rosemary realistically portrays different patients with unique personal histories, physical symptoms, emotional characteristics, and everyday concerns. Which authentic patient she plays varies depending on the teaching event and its intended learning outcomes. Some are designed to refine the students’ interviewing and history taking skills, while others test their physical examination skills.
In her role, Rosemary needs to memorize scenarios and convincingly portray a range of emotions and physical symptoms. The most important aspect of her role, however, is consistency and reliability.
“Standardized Patients are trained to portray patients in a specific, standardized way,” explains Sammie Gough, one of the Patient Program’s Clinical Patient Recruiter and Trainers. “This is necessary to deliver the same experience to a large volume of learners, whether its for teaching purposes and for examinations.”
We sat down with Rosemary to ask her about her three years as a Standardized Patient and how she uses artistic expression to help teach medical students about the human side of medicine.
Hi, Rosemary! What originally inspired you to start this work?
I heard about the SP program from theatre colleagues and saw it as a wonderful opportunity to integrate my healthcare background and passion for theatre and artistic expression in service to the community.
Do you have previous acting experience? Has this helped you in your experience as a standardized patient?
Yes, I trained in theatre before entering healthcare. My theatre background has helped with my improvisation skills and character development. The SP program gives me the unique opportunity to create believable characters that are grounded in reality.
What unique perspectives and experiences are you able to share with medical students?
Sometimes the nonverbal behaviours of the healthcare team will have the most effect on the patient. The simulated patient experiences are dramatic encounters used with intention to teach humanistic skills like empathy and therapeutic communication. These are skills I believe to be fundamental to healthcare delivery.
As an SP I approach each encounter as an opportunity to support students to have a successful learning experience.
The duality of the SP role in being both a participant and an observer during the simulation is a unique experience.
What motivates you to continue working with medical students?
Lifelong learning and contribution to future generations of healthcare providers.
Rosemary enjoyed a 25-year career as a healthcare practitioner in nursing prior to this role. With a background in theater, she is also currently a performer and an active supporter of the arts in her local community of Victoria, BC.
If you are interested in becoming an SP, the IMP Patient Program accepts applications for new participants throughout the year. Acting experience is helpful but not required, with Sammie noting that people who have other relevant skills like public speaking or teaching experience also enjoy this work.
All SPs receive comprehensive training for each patient role before working with students.
Please visit the IMP Standardized Patients webpage or contact the Patient Program at patientprograms@uvic.ca for more information.