Message
  • You must log in first
BLOG

Assessment of students’ pharmacist competency in dispensing cough medicines for self-medication: a simulated patient study

Lead Author: Sivasankaran Ponnusankar
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME
 
This article discusses use of a simulation to gauge the effectiveness of self-medication consultation training (SMCT) for pharmacy students, preparing them to consult with patients requesting relief for a cough. According to the authors, in India, where the study occurred, it is common for people to go to a pharmacist for assistance with symptoms like coughs, but pharmacists need to be able to elicit key information in order to provide them with appropriate advice. The simulation, which involved 10 pharmacists or pharmacy interns who were trained as SPs and 90 students, evaluated the effectiveness of the students’ questioning and advice before and after SMCT. The authors found that “(p)articipants who questioned about the severity, medical conditions and previous/current medications in the simulated patients provided appropriate advice than students’ pharmacist who did not enquired these questions” and “collecting appropriate information is positively linked in delivering appropriate advice to the patient.” They also note that the process helped students to “improve and build their communication, knowledge, confidence, skills and competency skills.”
 
Read the full article in the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques, and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

Embracing different languages and local differences: Co-constructive patient simulation strengthens host countries’ clinical training in psychiatry

Lead Author: Şafak Eray Camil
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME
 
The authors’ intentions are evident from their “background” and “aim” statements: “Global education in psychiatry is heavily influenced by knowledge from Western, high-income countries, which obscures local voices and expertise” and “To adapt a human simulation model to psychiatric education in a context that is specific to local languages and cultures,” respectively. To accomplish this, they designed an observational study to take place two countries, Turkey and Israel. A facilitator would train faculty on the simulation approach then the faculty would become the facilitators in that location, developing cases in their native language that “reflected local realities and clinical challenges.” They describe the goal as “to use local knowledge, local realities and language, and the texture of their unique expertise, to improve on their reflective clinical practice, and to help train their next generation of mental health practitioners.” Intriguingly, they found that “the scripted scenarios evinced notable similarities” across the two countries; nevertheless, “the local specificities of certain cases made them uniquely culture- or setting-bound.”
 
Read the full article in the World Journal of Psychiatry here
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques, and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

A teamwork OSCE station – Encompassing shared decision making between a doctor, pharmacist and patient

Lead Author: Carmen Abeyaratne
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME
 
This article reports on an interprofessional education (IPE) OSCE where final-year pharmacy students engaged with two simulated participants: a “carer,” who was played by a trained lay person, and a “doctor,” who was a pharmacist trained to both play the role of doctor and evaluate the student. The authors describe the challenge for the students as: “During the interaction, the doctor and caregiver were each asked to pose resistance to students’ therapeutic recommendations, and students were expected to effectively address this resistance to reach a collaborative decision on the patient’s management.” The authors cite several findings suggestive of ways to improve the OSCE for future use, but the student post-activity survey suggests that even this early iteration was beneficial, with 89.4% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing that “the station assessed their teamwork skills adequately” and 88.9% agreeing or strongly agreeing that “practicing for this OSCE station built their teamwork skills.”
 
Read the full article in Experiences in Teaching and Learning here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques, and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

The Evolution from Standardized to Virtual Patients in Medical Education

Lead Author: [Allan Hamilton
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME
 
Reading the title and abstract, I expected an article looking at the growing, post-COVID trend to virtual patients. This article provides that perspective, addressing limitations of SPs—especially budgetary—and the benefits (and limits) of recent advances in virtual options. However, the bulk of the article is dedicated to both exploring the extent of those virtual options and providing a brief history of virtual patients (VPs), starting from their beginnings in the late 90s. Hamilton et al. describe the capabilities of VPs as they evolved from the earliest “problem-solving” type to the later “narrative” or “systematic” type, comparing the relative strengths at each stage. The article is worth reading by those interested in the SP vs. VP debate, but I would also—and more strongly—recommend it for anyone interested in the evolution of computerized patients over the past 30 years.
Read the full article in Cureus here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.” 
  
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

Crystal Washington Inspires at IMSH 2025 with the Lou Oberndorf Lecture

IMSH 2025 Plenary Speaker: Crystal Washington
By: Samantha Syms, MS, CHSE, Gordon Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

At IMSH 2025, the Plenary Session featured the dynamic Crystal Washington delivering the Lou Oberndorf Lecture on Innovation and Healthcare Simulation. A certified futurist, Hall of Fame speaker, and technology strategist, Crystal captivated the audience with her empowering vision for “future-proofing” in a rapidly evolving world.
 
Crystal’s engaging session combined humor, relatable analogies, and powerful insights to challenge attendees to own their future. She reminded us, “No one is coming to save you; we need to put on our own capes.” From exploring how humans are “stressed-out cyborgs” to guiding the audience through thought-provoking games like “Which is safer: a human baby or an axolotl?” she illustrated the challenges of change and the resilience required to overcome them.
 
She urged attendees to manage their responses to change with empathy—for others and themselves—acknowledging that “it’s a hard time to be human.” Her message emphasized the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and staying calm in the face of uncertainty. The simulation field, she noted, has demonstrated remarkable agility over the past 25 years and is poised for even greater innovation ahead.
 
As Crystal eloquently put it, “We must reach out, grab the future, and bring it closer to us—because resting on our laurels is not an option.” Her lecture left the audience inspired to embrace change, stay curious, and shape the future of healthcare simulation with intention and passion.
Learn more about Crystal Washington by visiting her website here: [https://crystalwashington.com]
  
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.” 
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.

[Dissertation]: Cultural Humility Training with a Simulated Therapy Client: A Qualitative Case Study By: Justine Piontek

By: Justine Piontek
Submitted by: Renee Wadsworth, Simclusive
 
A qualitative case study explored how simulation-based training with a marginalized simulated therapy client impacted counseling psychology doctoral trainees' cultural humility. Findings revealed that learners of color emphasized interpersonal skills like decentering oneself, while White learners focused on intrapersonal growth, such as recognizing power and privilege. Participants valued the safe, in vivo experience, which enhanced their cultural awareness and preparedness for diverse clinical contexts. Discover how these insights can refine SP methodologies and contribute to the development of culturally humble mental health professionals.
 
Read the full dissertation in ProQuest here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

[Dissertation]: Training GPT as a Standardized Patient

By: Mercedes Lorena Pedrajas López, Ana Sanz Cortés, Eva García Carpintero-Blas, Esther Martínez Miguel, Sara Uceda Gutiérrez
Submitted by: Renee Wadsworth, Simclusive
 
A recent exploration into using GPT-4 as a standardized patient (SP) highlights the transformative potential of AI in simulation-based education. This approach allows for scalable, realistic interactions that adapt to diverse clinical scenarios, enriching student training without the logistical constraints of human actors. By establishing detailed patient identities and incorporating AI into curricular design, educators can provide tailored learning experiences that enhance diagnostic, communication, and decision-making skills. Discover how AI can complement traditional SP methodologies, offering innovative tools to prepare students for complex healthcare environments​.
 
Read the full article in Artificial Intelligence and Education here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
  
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here

The Use of Standardized Patients as an Educational Strategy in Baccalaureate Psychiatric Nursing Simulation: A Mixed Method Pilot Study

By: Kimberly A. Conway and Robert L. Scoloveno
Submitted by: Renee Wadsworth, Simclusive

A pilot study in a psychiatric nursing course replaced student role-play with standardized patients, and more than 80% of participants reported increased learning, confidence, and satisfaction. This shift in methodology also enabled effective simulation of complex behaviors, including auditory hallucinations and non-verbal depression. The innovative approach helped senior nursing students meet course objectives and enhanced preparation for clinical settings. Discover how these measurable outcomes can inform best practices for SP educators seeking to advance simulation experiences in psychiatric nursing.
 
Read the full article in the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association here.
 
Communications and Connections Committee Mission: “To bring high-quality reporting of current research, trends, techniques and information regarding SP methodology and other relevant industry articles to the attention of the membership through the web-based ASPE eNews blog.”
 
Please provide comments, questions or suggestions about the ASPE eNews Blog here.
 

Incorporating Real-time Simulated Patient and Instructor Feedback to Enhance Simulation Learning Experience for Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study

By: Lauren Woods et al
Submitted by: Marsha Harman, Rush Center for Clinical Skills and Simulation

This study aimed to examine how occupational therapy (OT) students incorporate real-time Simulated Patient (SP) feedback, numerical feedback (i.e. scores), and instructor-written feedback to enhance their learning from the simulation experience. This mixed methods study collected learner assessment numerical data and qualitative data (SP feedback and instructor written feedback) in first-year OT students’ simulation learning sessions. The students answered six debrief questions reflecting on the simulation process, explaining how they plan to incorporate the feedback in future OT practice. Quantitative results of student performance data were reported. Seven themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the debrief reflections. These themes provided information on students’ perceptions of the experience and illustrated how they plan to use the feedback. The findings of this study provide instructors strategies that can be used to enhance student learning when designing simulations. This study found that numerical and written feedback from the instructor was more meaningful when combined with real-time SP feedback.

Read More
1 Comments

Reflecting on My Scholarship to Attend the ASPE Conference in Vancouver

By: Erin Walsh, Standardized Patient Educator, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL

Receiving a scholarship to attend the 2024 ASPE conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada, was a profound honor. The theme of this year's conference, “Inspiring growth, motivating change, and creating opportunities,” resonates with me during this time of intense change in politics, education, and training. This last year was challenging professionally when my mentor, Barbara Eulenberg, retired. ASPE helped me shift my focus from looking at these major changes in the negative to reframing them as opportunities for growth and change.

Read More

ASPE 2024 Scavenger Hunt

By Amy Rush and Samantha Syms

The ASPE Communications and Connections Committee took its name seriously when planning for the 2024 ASPE conference in Vancouver, B.C. To facilitate connections, create some fun activities and make memories, it was decided that a conference-wide scavenger hunt was in order. Committee members Renee Wadsworth, Amanda Fernandez-Acosta, Amy Rush and Samantha Syms designed the hunt and the ASPE board backed the endeavor. The scavenger hunt, open to all conference attendees, but completely voluntary, was facilitated using the Whova conference app, with which the committee communicated with attendees via the community message board.

Read More
1 Comments

Psychiatrists' Perceptions of and Reactions to a Simulated Psychiatric Genetic Counseling Session


Lead Author: Katharine Cardiff
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME

According to Cardiff et al., “Psychiatric genetic counseling (pGC) has been demonstrated to have meaningful positive outcomes for people with psychiatric conditions and their families. However, it is not widely accessed, and clinical genetics services tend to receive few referrals for these indications.” To gain insight into how to breach this gap, the authors undertook a study “to understand the perceptions of and reactions to a simulated pGC session among psychiatrists.” The study involved recording a 65-minute simulated pGC session with an SP.

Read More

ASPE 2024 Awards Ceremony


By: Mary Launder

The depth of extraordinary work and contributions given to the ASPE Community is highlighted through the annual awards presented to those outstanding members who serve the ASPE community. Eligible ASPE members are nominated by colleagues and coworkers and the nomination committees hold a standard fair and inclusive process. This 2024 awards ceremony was held in person in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 26th, 2024.

Read More

ASPE 2024 Conference Opening Plenary


By: Janice Radway, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

The Opening Plenary of the 2024 ASPE Conference in Vancouver started with a splash. Or should I say song? There was no PowerPoint. There was no one standing on the big stage with screens behind them. Instead, we were treated to Petula Clark’s “Downtown” and a dancing Janece Shaffer, along with two ASPE members who have some skilled dance moves. Of course we sang along.

Read More

2024 Conference President and Past President Address Highlights Our Unique Backgrounds, Announces Groundbreaking Accreditation Program


By: Amy Rush, Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation at University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Our thirteenth ASPE president Dr. Lou Clark gave the ASPE president address during the opening session of the 2024 ASPE Conference in Vancouver, B.C. on Sunday, June 23. She began by acknowledging the work Jen Owens did as conference chair, not only for this ASPE conference, but for the past four years. She read a message on behalf of the current conference committee, thanking Owens for her, “exceptional service as the ASPE conference chair.” Clark then gave a talk called, “Our Story.” She highlighted ASPE’s mission and its members. We currently have 918 members from 44 countries and 65 are Canadian members! She recognized the 16 ASPE Board of Directors.

Read More

Challenges facing standardised patients representing equity-deserving groups: Insights from health care educators

Journal Article: Challenges facing standardised patients representing equity-deserving groups: Insights from health care educators

By: Matt Sibbald et al

Read More

The Contribution of Simulated Patients to Meaningful Student Learning

Article 1: The Contribution of Simulated Patients to Meaningful Student Learning
Article 2: How Simulated Patients Contribute to Student Learning in an Authentic Way, an Interview Study
Lead Author: Annelies Lovink
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME

Annelies Lovink et al. published two articles looking at the same phenomenon from two perspectives: that of the student and that of the SP. The articles stand on their own but can also be read in conversation with one another.


Read More

LGBTQ+ Microaggressions in Health Care

LGBTQ+ Microaggressions in Health Care: Piloting an Observation Framework in a Standardized Patient Assessment
Lead Author: Hallie Decker
Submitted by: Kerensa Peterson, UCR School of Medicine

“Microaggressions are subtle derogatory behaviors that unintentionally communicate hostility toward marginalized social groups. This article describes the preliminary validation of a framework for observing LGBTQ+ microaggressions in healthcare, which can lead to distrust and disengagement from the healthcare system. Coders used the framework to observe microaggressions in video-recorded clinical-skills assessments with medical students who elicited health histories from standardized patients.

Read More

2024 ASPE Annual Conference Scholarship Inaugural Recipients

2024 ASPE Annual Conference Scholarship Inaugural Recipients
By: Amber Snyder, Vice President for Finance

Each year, we get requests for scholarships to attend ASPE and we didn’t have a funding source for these opportunities. At the ASPE conference in Portland in 2023, we stretched our imaginations on how we could bring more member benefits and launched the ASPE Fund. The goal of the ASPE fund was to provide an income stream for grassroot donations to build a fund to allow us to continue to bring existing membership benefits to you all, but also expand our international reach, our SP community, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts.

Read More

Student empathy in standardized patient experiences

Student empathy in standardized patient experiences: Applying concepts from a critical thinking emulation model
Lead Author: Lance Brendan Young PhD, MBA
Submitted by: Amy Lorion, NBOME

According to Young et al., research has shown that dental students’ empathy for patients declines over the course of their education and this “empathy-reducing influence of training” can have a real and negative impact on the students’ future patients. In order to address this concern, the authors aspired to “(1) Develop a learning guide for observable behaviors communicating emotional and cognitive empathy and (2) determine whether the learning guide can be used as a rubric for assessing empathy in a standardized patient experience.” The authors created a learning guide/evaluation rubric using an emulation model that focused on, “the communication of empathy,” a guide that SPs then used to score student performance in simulated encounters. According to the authors, the study’s results show that their model, “is viable as both a learning guide and evaluation rubric in a standardized patient format.”

Read More