Standardized Patient Promotes Knowledge Through Portrayal of a Patient With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

According to the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INASCL, 2015) to utilize a standardized patient the educator should: ensure and secure the best person for a specific simulation, educate the individual for the simulation role and outcomes, debrief with the individual, evaluate for effectiveness, and make changes if needed. An abundance of information has been published about use of standardized patients but a dearth of information has been published about the standardized patient role from the perspective of the standardized patient. Meaning, what impact or transformation happens to the person serving as the standardized patient? What is their experience? What types of feelings do they go through when serving as the standardized patient? It is very important that educators understand the experience that the standardized patient has during a simulation activity to enhance the overall learning and transformational experience for all persons involved.

This presentation will explain how a standardized patient assumed the role of a patient with ASD including qualifications, experience and preparation. In addition, this presentation will discuss how the collateral gains of both the standardized patient and the educators were actualized. For example, the standardized patient presented to nursing students his experience with working with children with ASD and then learned from nursing students their concerns about working with children with disabilities such as autism. Educators gained a clear understanding of how the experience from a standardized patient can positively affect all stakeholders. Because the standardized patient verbalized how the experience changed how he looked at healthcare, the educators encouraged him to continue his education thus employing transformatinal leadership skills (Marshall, 2010). Because of his successful SP experience, he chose to return to school—this time to nursing school. It is important for educators to debrief with the standardize patient also and utilize transformational leadership skills to help the SP envision personal reflection and forward change.