Universität zu Köln

Sommer, Michael, Fritz, Angelika Hiroko, Thrien, Christian, Kursch, Angelika and Peters, Tim (2019). Simulated patients in medical education - a survey on the current status in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. GMS J. Med. Educ., 36 (3). DUESSELDORF: GERMAN MEDICAL SCIENCE-GMS. ISSN 2366-5017

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Abstract

Objective: In German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), simulated patients (SPs) have been a fixture for years and are used in teaching and examinations. As part of ongoing methodological standardization efforts and to support current and future faculty and curriculum developments, this exploratory study systematically investigates how and under what framework and conditions SPs are currently used in German-speaking countries. Methodology: The online questionnaire developed in cooperation with the Committee for Simulated Patients of the Society for Medical Education comprises 58 questions covering the organization and administration, size and design of the SP pool, general conditions and minimum standards for the assignments of the SPs. All medical faculties from Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland were invited to participate in the survey and a descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: 38 responses from 45 faculties were included in the evaluation of the survey (response rate: 84.4%). Most SP programs are affiliated with the Office of the Dean of Studies and skills labs or training centers and funded by faculty resources. Both the working hours in the SP programs and the qualifications of the employees vary extensively. The same applies to the number and average age of the employed SPs. On average each faculty uses 1,290 SP hours per year (min=45, max=6,500). The majority of SPs are used in a teaching environment, together with lecturers. At all sites, SPs provide feedback to students. This is always based on a uniform standard. All SPs receive training, which predominantly focuses on playing their role and giving feedback. Discussion: There are a variety of SP programs in German-speaking countries. While there are a few clear similarities (for example, feedback from SPs), many organizational and methodological aspects are handled differently. Although this allows innovation and flexibility, it also weakens the didactic SP method in its standardization and thus in the comparability of quality. A certain degree of standardization and high methodical quality is of great importance, especially in scientific and faculty internal discussions and with a view to the use of SPs in high-stakes examinations which must be improved in the future.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Sommer, Michael UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Fritz, Angelika Hiroko UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Thrien, Christian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kursch, Angelika UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Peters, Tim UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-138949
DOI:	10.3205/zma001235
Journal or Publication Title:	GMS J. Med. Educ.
Volume:	36
Number:	3
Date:	2019
Publisher:	GERMAN MEDICAL SCIENCE-GMS
Place of Publication:	DUESSELDORF
ISSN:	2366-5017
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Education, Scientific Disciplines Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/13894