INNOVATIONS IN TEACHING An Interprofessional Activity Using Standardized Patients

Objectives. To describe the development and implementation of an interprofessional activity using standardized patients. Methods. In the interprofessional standardized patient experience (ISPE), pharmacy students are teamed with medical and nursing students. This team completes an assessment of a standardized patient. During this assessment, each student has time to interview the patient according to his/her own skills and patient care perspective. After the assessment is completed, the team collaborates to develop a patient care plan. Pre-experience and post-experience surveys were conducted. Results. Pharmacy students’ appreciation for each profession’s role in patient care increased. Conclusions. Despite multiple challenges, an interprofessional activity involving multiple health professionals from multiple institutions can be successfully implemented. Feedback from pharmacy students indicated that this activity increased students’ awareness and ability to work as members of the health professional team.