Experiences of simulated patients and candidates in the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners Simulated Surgery examination

Abstract

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN IN THIS AREA • Simulated patients (SPs) experience stress related to their performance as SPs. • SPs' consistency is maximised by regular training for them and the examiners. • The likelihood of stress may be related to role type and SP acting style. WHAT THIS WORK ADDS • Some quantification of the problems surrounding SPs undertaking continuous effective role playing: (1) this is acceptable to them for a three-day period; (2) by the end of this period, a third of the SPs report stressful symptoms. • That almost all role players feel better able to make judgements of clinical competence as a result of the experience; none would change their general practitioner (GP). • That an SP-based test of consultation skills, perceived as challenging by its candidates, can be regarded by them as an appropriate, realistic and acceptable SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH • Investigation of translinguistic effects (differential first language) on candidate scores in SP-based examinations.

Older people’s involvement in healthcare education: views and experiences of older experts by experience

“…Although overall EBE involvement can be beneficial for those undertaking the activity, there are some risks. EBEs can experience "performance" stress (Bokken et al, 2004;Harvey and Radomski, 2011) and they can become fatigued or exhausted during EBE activity (Denney et al, 2006;Lathlean et al, 2006), although Lathlean et al's study concludes that stress and fatigue are not long-lasting.…”