The advantages and challenges of unannounced standardized patient methodology to assess healthcare communication

Abstract

Objective-This paper provides an overview of the implementation of using Unannounced Standardized Patients (USPs) to conduct health communication research in clinical settings.Methods-Certain types of health communication situations are difficult to capture because of their rarity or unpredictable nature. In primary care the real reasons for a visit are frequently unknown until the consultation is well under way. Therefore, it is logistically difficult for communication studies to capture many real-time communications between patients and their physicians. Although the USP methodology is ideal for capturing these communication behaviors, challenges to using this method include developing collaborative relationships with clinical practices, logistical issues such as safeguarding the identity of the USP, training USPs and creating their identities, maintaining fidelity to the role, and analyzing the resultant data.Results-This paper discusses the challenges and solutions to USP implementation. We provide an example of how to implement a USP study using an on-going study being conducted in primary care practices.Conclusion-This paper explores the advantages and challenges as well as strategies to overcome obstacles to implementing a USP study. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Practice Implications-Despite the challenges, USP methodology can contribute much to our understanding of health communication and practice. NIH Public Access

Mixed-Realism Simulation of Adverse Event Disclosure

“…14Y16 For many medical trainees, experience with adverse events comes during actual patient care without previous benefit of formal education about the process of disclosure. A standardized patient (SP)Van actor trained to realistically portray a patient in an education or examination session 21 Vis sometimes added to improve realism. 19 Various strategies have been used for teaching adverse event disclosure.…”

Methodological pluralism in health communication research

“…In this section, topics range from the use of advanced statistical methods, such as Rasch analysis [12] and logfile analysis [13], to intervention methods including immersive virtual environments [14] and unannounced standardized patient encounters [15].…”

Assessing Residents' Veteran-Centered Care Skills in the Clinical Setting

“…We worked closely with program directors and coordinators at both locations to ensure the SP visits were scheduled during regular clinic hours as a new patient appointment. 13 We provided residents with the same information (''door sheets'') they typically receive prior to entering the patient room (eg, vital signs, age, sex, chief complaint). Simulated patient information was used to populate the electronic health record and presented to the resident in clinic.…”