A modular interprofessional template for SP role scripts - Results of a multi-stage consensus process in German-speaking countries

Abstract

Introduction/Overview/Purpose The standardization of simulated patients (SP) in human simulation is broadly established for assessments in health care professions and is particularly important in the context of high-stakes exams [1, 2]. To ensure standardized role portrayal even across countries there is a need for a standardized, evidence-based role script template that enables extensive use despite the heterogeneous approaches of the individual institutions and professions. International literature reports a variety of processes for developing SP scenarios depending on profession and institutions [3, 4, 5]. A broad consensual approach across professions is still missing.

Description of Innovation/Discussion Topic To consider the needs of the different health care professions and the various stakeholders involved, a multi-stage consensus process was carried out by the standing committee on simulated persons within the German-language Association for Medical Education (GMA). First, all categories relevant to authentic and standardized role portrayal in high-stakes exams were developed with the SP teams of the national licensing exam boards in Germany and Switzerland. Subsequently, two SP Educators from each of the health care professions of medicine, occupational therapy, midwifery, speech therapy, pharmaceutic science, physical therapy, nursing, psychotherapy, emergency services, veterinary medicine and dentistry (22 in total) submitted a detailed review. 12 SPs from Germany and Switzerland were also asked for reviews.

Discussion The role template consists of 13 categories, ranging from personal data of the role to conditions (“situation and space”), from teaching and examination objectives to implementation modalities for high-stakes exams. The template is designed to be interprofessional in structure and terminology, so that it can be used by any of the above-mentioned professions. A modular structure ensures that the scope remains manageable and can be adapted to the complexity of the cases.

Conclusion The process showed how the heterogeneity of SP programs regarding structure and process in the various professions impacts role scripts. The template allows case scenarios to be exchanged across professions and institutions, which also supports the idea of interprofessional teaching and examination formats. The next step will be a wide distribution in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and an evaluation of usability.