Information for Current Standardized Patients

First, please arrive on time.

Second, it is expected that you have read the case and are coming to training prepared.  We don’t expect you to have it all memorized but 75% is good.

Third, please expect to stay the entire training session.  Most cases can be trained anywhere from 1-2 hours.  However, there may be instances where training may be scheduled to for longer.  Leaving early could mean that you miss some important information discussed or asked about the case and we wouldn’t want you to miss it.

Fourth, bring any questions you have to the training.  Any question is a good question.  Remember, your trainers put a lot of time, research and effort into case training so they appreciate it when you ask them questions or make suggestions to make training better.

Remember when it comes to the actual case encounter, Standardized Patients are required to:

• memorize a patient’s background
• portray appropriate behaviours and emotions
• answer the student’s questions accordingly
• a balance between giving too much information and not enough information
• provide feedback to the student with respect to their communication skills during the encounter
• refrain from speaking with the students or physician “out of role” before or during the session
• exhibit sensitivity and respect for other beliefs, opinions, gender, race, culture, religion, sexual preferences and status

We get it.  Life happens and we all get sick or maybe you have an appointment you can’t change.  We know.  But please just let us know as soon as you do.  The more time you give us, the more time we have to find a replacement or schedule another training time.

Just so you are aware, when a Standardized Patient does not show up to a training session or an encounter with no notice of cancellation, the following policies apply:

• 1st no show- verbal warning
• 2nd no show- written warning
• 3rd no show- termination from the Program

We don’t want that to happen.

It should be noted that if an SP should cancel or not show up on the encounter day, the SP will not be paid for the training session they attended.

During physical exams, Standardized Patients are required to wear a hospital gown.

Female SPs should wear:

• a sports bra
• loose pants like yoga pants or jogging pants/shorts
• appropriate underwear (no thongs)

Male SPs should wear:

• boxers or briefs
• loose pants like jogging pants or athletic pants/shorts

During the physical exams, students are expected to drape the SPs appropriately to avoid any unnecessary exposure.  It should be noted that some students are better at it than others.  However, there are some specific sessions where exposure of the chest will be expected.  For female SPs this means being exposed without a bra.  For male SPs this means having your chest exposed for long periods of time.  This exposure is during:

• breast exams
• cardiac exams
• respiratory exams

Please remember, we do not expect you to participate in any physical examination that would make you feel uncomfortable.  The Standardized Patient Program Coordinator will provide you will all the information about the session so you can make an informed decision.

Don’t worry.  We all struggle with feedback at one point or another.  Remember providing positive and constructive feedback to the students is one of the most important but most challenging skills you will do as a Standardized Patient.  Talk to your Trainer for tips on how to give better feedback as well as look through our Guide for Effective Feedback and see if that helps.

Here are some points to think about when giving feedback to a student.

• Focus your feedback on what you saw and heard and how you experienced it.
• Always give your feedback from your perspective as the patient.
• Remember to use ‘I’ statements.  For example, when you said “That sounds really difficult to manage.  How are you coping?”  I felt heard and understood and it made me feel like you truly cared.
• Be aware of the student’s verbal and non-verbal responses.
• Keep it simple and be specific.
• Remember to make eye contact with the student and not the tutor.

Also, we know that giving feedback is one of the hardest parts of your job but please remember not to:

• Comment on the medical content of the case
• Comment on your own personal experiences
• Comment on the student’s hygiene, attire or appearance
• Comment on what they missed
• Use judgmental terms such as “you should have, ” or “you could have”
• Compare students or tutors
• Lecture the students.  Remember you are an SP and not the Tutor.

We recommend you read your handbook designed just for you.  We get it, you probably haven’t read it since you were hired, but there are tons of tips to help you become or stay a successful SP (plus it gets updated every year so we don’t want you to miss out on information).  If you are up for the read here is the link Handbook and Procedure Manual for SPs

Here is a quick link for Tips for Successful SPs.

Also, we know that all of our Standardized Patients are awesome but remember here are some things that are frowned upon:

• Discussing the cases outside of NOSM.  Remember you are not to share case details with anyone not involved in training.
• Discussing the student’s performance outside of NOSM.  While it is appropriate to discuss performance during debriefings, training etc., these should be discussed without identifying the student.
• Eating or drinking during a case portrayal.  Unless it’s part of your case props, there are no water bottles, coffee etc. allowed.
• Cell phones in the SCS session.  Please leave your phones in the SP lounge.  There is nothing more annoying than hearing someone’s phone vibrate or play some song until it goes to voicemail.
• Hmmm…how to put this.  Please maintain proper hygiene.  For the comfort of our learners, please come freshly showered if you get what I mean.  But Ladies (and some Gents) that also means leaving the perfume or cologne at home. We work in a scent-free environment.

First, let the Standardized Patient Coordinator know of the changes and they may direct you to the finance department or you may need to fill in a new banking form.  Personal Direct Deposit Information.

Although the Standardized Patient Coordinators are great at putting in your hours, it should be noted to please allow 2 to 5 weeks for payment.  If payment is not received in the expected time period, please contact your Program Coordinator.

Erica Dzuba
Standardized Patient Program Coordinator, Thunder Bay
Undergraduate Medical Education
NOSM Universit,y MS-1009
955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Phone: 807- 766- 7335

Kelly Merla
Interim Standardized Patient Program Coordinator, Sudbury
Undergraduate Medical Education
NOSM University, MS- 145
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6
Phone: 705- 622- 7255

Julie Ktytor
Standardized Patient Trainer, Thunder Bay
Undergraduate Medical Education
NOSM University, ATAC rm 6032
955 Oliver Rd
Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1
Phone: 807- 766- 7434

Christine Sansalone
Standardized Patient Trainer, Sudbury
Undergraduate Medical Education
NOSM University, MSE 144
935 Ramsey Lake Road,
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6
Phone: 705- 662- 7139