Not Lost in Translation: The Use of Standardized Patients Technology among Health Professional Students in Tanzania

Health professionals in Tanzania report a perceived need for sexual and reproductive health communication training to meet patient needs reduce disparities. Simulation optimizes clinical performance public entrustment. The study describes the development, feasibility, acceptability measures of evidence-based, Afrocentric, standardized scenarios train nursing, medical, midwifery students Tanzania. Standardized simulation cases with embedded cultural, language, gender, age, sexuality, legal complexity issues were identified by stakeholders Dar es Salaam centring on;1) adolescent health, 2) women’s 3) male cases. Twenty-four professional evenly split across midwifery, medicine recruited enrolled participate pilot trial simulations conducted Kiswahili results recorded. Videos evaluated trained bilingual research staff using behavioural checklists. Descriptive statistics bivariate analyses used assess data. found that seventy- five percent (N =18) baseline participants (N=24) returned 3-month follow-up assessment. While not powered statistical significance, showed improvement all significant erectile dysfunction concerns case both interpersonal (t (17) = -3.445, p < .005) medical history taking checklist -3.259, .005). Further, most opportunity practice helpful or very their education. It was therefore concluded preliminary data patients demonstrated feasibility among student participants.