Resende KA, Cavaco AM, Luna-Leite MD, Acacio BR, Pinto NN, Neta MD, Melo AC. Training and standardization of simulated patients for multicentre studies in clinical pharmacy education.
Pharm Pract (Granada) 2020;
18:2038. [PMID:
33224323 PMCID:
PMC7672484 DOI:
10.18549/pharmpract.2020.4.2038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the training and standardization methods of multiple simulated
patients (SPs) performing a single scenario in a multicenter study.
Methods:
A prospective quasi-experimental study, using a multicenter approach,
evaluated the performance of five different individuals with the same
biotype during a simulation session in a high-fidelity environment. The SPs
training and standardization process consisted of four steps and six web or
face-to-face mediated: Step 1: simulation scenario design and pilot test.
Step 2: SPs selection, recruitment and beginning training (Session 1:
performance instructions and memorization request.) Session 2: check the
SPs’ performances and adjustments). Step 3 and session 3: training
role-play and performance’s evaluation. Step 4: SPs’
standardization and performances’ evaluation (Sessions 4 and 5: first
and second rounds of SPs’ standardization assessment. Session 6:
Global training and standardization evaluation. SPs performance consistency
was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha and ICC.
Results:
In the evaluation of training results, the Maastricht Simulated Patient
Assessment dimensions of SPs performances “It seems
authentic”, “Can be a real patient” and
“Answered questions naturally”, presented “moderate or
complete agreement” of all evaluators. The dimensions “Seems
to retain information unnecessarily”, “Remains in his/her role
all the time”, “Challenges/tests the student”, and
“Simulates physical complaints in an unrealistic way”
presented “moderate or complete disagreement” in all
evaluations. The SPs “Appearance fits the role” showed
“moderate or complete agreement” in most evaluations. In the
second round of evaluations, the SPs had better performance than the first
ones. This could indicate the training process’s had good influence
on SPs performances. The Cronbach’s alpha in the second assessment
was better than the first (varied from 0.699 to 0.978). The same improvement
occurred in the second round of intraclass correlation coefficient that was
between 0.424 and 0.978. The SPs were satisfied with the training method and
standardization process. They could perceive improvement on their role-play
authenticity.
Conclusions:
The SPs training and standardization process revealed good SPs reliability
and simulation reproducibility, demonstrating to be a feasible method for
SPs standardization in multicenter studies. The Maastricht Simulated Patient
Assessment was regarded as missing the assessment of the information
consistency between the simulation script and the SPs provision.
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