Memorial University Faculty of Medicine Learners
What is a Standardized Patient?
A Standardized Patient is an individual trained to accurately and consistently portray a real patient in clinical scenarios. This includes reproducing medical histories, body language, physical findings, and emotional or personality traits of actual patients.
Help shape the future of healthcare education. Complete the online application form.
Why are Standardized Patients Important in Healthcare Education?
SPs provide a supportive environment for learners.
SPs allow learners to explore different approaches and learn from them without risk to real patients.
SPs provide a standardized experience.
All learners interact with the same scenario, as trained by the Standardized Patient Educators, ensuring fair and consistent assessment
SPs provide opportunities for real practice.
SPs mimic real patient encounters—physical symptoms, emotional responses, and medical histories.
SPs aide in feedback-driven growth.
SPs are trained to observe and offer feedback on communication, empathy, and clinical skills.
Who can become an SP?
Standardized Patients come from a wide range of backgrounds and can be any age. They do not need acting experience to participate as our Standardized Patient Educators train them for each scenario and learner interaction
Ideal candidates:
- Have a flexible weekday schedule
- Are comfortable speaking with small groups of students
- Are comfortable with a variety of non-invasive physical exams
- Can simulate complex emotional roles
Hiring and Onboarding Process:
- Apply – Complete the online application form.
Interview – Selected applicants will be invited for a 30-minute in-person or virtual interview. Interviews take place on an as needed basis.
- Attend Orientation & Feedback Workshops – Successful candidates will receive on-boarding as casual employees of UPEI and training on the specific feedback methodology used within the program.
- Receive access to your SP Manual, be added to our roster of Standardized Patients, and begin training with our SP Educators for your first SP session.
Being an SP offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the education and development of future healthcare professionals. If you have an interest in improving the learning experience for students in health-related fields, becoming a Standardized Patient may be the right fit for you.
Help shape the future of healthcare education. Complete the online application form.
Relevant Links
Clinical Learning & Simulation Centre
