Using simulated patients to train interpersonal skills with clinical psychology doctoral students.

Abstract

Interpersonal skill development is a key part of training in clinical psychology. High-quality training involves two key practices: true-to-life experiential exercises and real-time feedback. Unfortunately, these two practices are in conflict. Ethical and practical constraints limit the use of real clients, leaving most training programs to rely on role-plays with other students and faculty. Role-play exercises, while valuable, often lack the emotion, unpredictability, and salience of work with actual clients. This can be addressed by the use of simulated patients—actors carefully trained to realistically portray patients in certain training situations. This article describes one such training model used with first-year doctoral students in clinical psychology. In addition, two potential options for evaluating the efficacy of the program are described. The utility of the program is then discussed in the context of key competencies, accreditation, and the larger context of dissemination and implementation (D & I) of evidence-based practice.