Clinical Skills Center

Standardized Patients

• What is a Standardized Patient?

A standardized patient (SP) is a lay person who is hired by the SP program. This person is taught a step-by-step procedure of  how to simulate an illness (a clinical case).   They then are used to teach or test students in a health profession.

• Why do we use the term Standardized instead of simulated?

The mission of the SP program is not only to have a SP realistically convey an illness to a patient, but to do it in a consistent and measurable way. Ten SPs can be trained   to do the same "clinical case".  No matter which SP interacts with the student, he or she would receive the same information and responses. This way, we accurately teach and test students according to one standard per case.  Each case can be altered or revised as needed. We strive to set standards that can be accurately reproduced over and over again.

• Who are the students with whom an SP works with?

SPs will work predominately with Medical students from their freshman year through residency training.  They also train nursing, pharmacy and students in other health related professions.  SPs also work with practicing health professionals to upgrade and improve their skills through continuing education programs.

• With what kind of projects are SPs involved?

Some projects include working with freshman students in small groups designed to develop good interviewing skills.  Some SPs are hired to actually teach students how to perform certain physical exams. These SPs often use their own bodies during instruction. Other SPs are hired to test pharmacy students by simulating a health professional or patient requesting a drug therapy consultation.

• Where do these projects take place?

The program is located at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Clinical Skills Center is a state-of-the-art training facility with 10 fully functioning clinic rooms, each containing sink, and medical instruments.  Two hidden cameras and audio equipment are located overhead.  In the middle of the center is an Observation room with a  monitor for each exam room. While one SP is in a room presenting an illness, another SP may be at a monitor in the observation room watching and rating the student. The observation room also has a large screen projector that is used for training and video presentations.

• What does an SP job pay?

Pay ranges from $10 to $15 an hour depending on the difficulty of the assignment.   Some SPs involved in  more sensitive teaching situations can be paid $100 per 1.5-hour session. SP work is part-time and lots of fun. Not only will you get paid for a job well done,  you will learn about health care and your own health. You are doing a great service for future patients and future health professionals.

• Do I qualify?

If you have experience with doctors, nurses and other health professionals, you qualify as a potential SP.  People of all shapes, sizes and ages are needed (including children on occasion).

• What makes a good SP?

A SP is one that arrives on time and knows the material learned during training. If you can be a nonpartisan communicator, you will make a good SP. In addition, having a flexible schedule is a plus.

• How do I apply?

It’s easy! Just follow this "SP Link" and fill out the application forms. Mail to:

Standardized Patient Program
4301 W. Markham St.
SLOT 735
Little Rock, AR 72205-7199

If you have questions, please call our office at 1-501-603-1920.