Working with actors and non-actors as simulated patients: An advantage?

Abstract

Background: Actors as well as non-actors are currently hired as simulated patients (SPs) in medical education, and it is not clear whether one group performs better than the other. Aim: This study explores two facets of working with actor and non-actor SPs: their performance as perceived by students and tutors and how the two groups feel about being trained together. Method: A convergent parallel mixed-method approach was used, with a survey and focus groups. The survey was administered to tutors and third-year medical students after an SP encounter. They were asked to rate the SPs' performance, without information about whether the SP was a professional actor or not. Two focus groups with SPs were held, one with actors and one with non-actors, to explore the disadvantages and benefits of mixed training sessions. Results: The survey showed that actors and non-actors perform equally well from the viewpoint of the students and tutors and that the SPs valued being trained in mixed groups. Conclusion: When trained together for the same role, actors and non-actors exhibit the same quality of performance. Moreover, common training helps them improve their performance and standardize the play, and also contributes to fostering team spirit.

Keywords

• Simulated patients training
• Actors vs non-actors
• Team spirit