|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Standardized Patient?
A person who has been carefully trained to present the physical and emotional characteristics of a real patient to provide an opportunity for health care providers to learn, practice, or demonstrate competency in clinical skills.
What is the meaning of the term Standardized Patient?
The aim of the SP program is to provide the learner with a consistent and measurable method of learning and assessment. Each SP is educated on how to present a specific medical condition in a standardized manner, one which is both consistent and measurable.
Who are the learners with whom an SP works with?
SPs will work with University of Vermont medical students in their 3rd and 4th years, Maine Medical Center residents and allied health professionals.
Where does this process take place?
Our facility is located at the Family Medicine Building at 5 Bucknam Road in Falmouth, Maine.
The SP Center is an innovative training facility with 4 fully functioning exam rooms, 2 patient consultation rooms and a computer lab each with audio and video equipment for monitoring and recording the encounters. The center also contains an observation room with multiple monitors where faculty, educators and the SP administrators may view the process.
What does an SP job pay?
Pay ranges from $15 an hour and up depending on the intensity of the assignment. SPs involved in more sensitive teaching or assignment situations will be paid a higher hourly rate. SP work is per-diem and extremely rewarding. You will learn about health care and provide an important service to future health care professionals.
What is an OSCE?
An Objective Structured Clinical Encounter (OSCE) is a method of teaching and assessing a multitude of clinical skills. Learners are observed and provided direct and immediate feedback from the SP using a predefined checklist evaluating clinical competence.
Are SP's used to practice placing needles?
No. To simulate medically invasive procedures, learners use life size mannequins and/or body part models, NOT Standardized Patients.
What makes a good SP?
Frequent Use of Email
- All SP must have and frequently use email.
Highly Flexible Schedule
- SP activities generally occur during business hours.
Commitment and Reliability
- SP's must be committed to the program and are able to arrive on time when scheduled for an activity.
Ease with People
- SP's must have good communication skills and be able to adapt to working with various types of personalities.
Comfort with Your Body
- SP's are generally dressed as they would be in a doctor's office or hospital - in underwear and patient gown. You are also allowing students to complete a physical exam as necessary for the particular case. So you must be comfortable with your body.
Ability to Give and Receive Constructive Feedback
- All SP's provide feedback to learners and receive feedback on themselves from the program director and/or faculty members.
Strong Desire to Contribute to the Education of Future Physicians
How do I apply?
Complete the application and consent forms and mail to:
Department of Medical Education
Brighton Medical Center
335 Brighton Avenue, 3rd Floor
Portland, Maine 04102
If you have questions, please call the SP program at 207-662-7060. If and when we have a case for you, we will contact you.
New cases are being developed all the time, so apply now!
|
