Published online: 5 May, TAPS 2020, 5(2), 41-44
https://doi.org/10.29060/TAPS.2020-5-2/SC2134

Sok Mui May Lim^1,2, Zi An Galvyn Goh² & Bhing Leet Tan¹

¹Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore; ²Centre for Learning Environment and Assessment Development (CoLEAD), Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore

Abstract

The use of standardised patients has become integral in the contemporary healthcare and medical education sector, with ongoing discussion on exploring ways to improve existing standardised patient programs. One potentially untapped group in society that may contribute to such programs are persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities have journeyed through the healthcare system, from injury to post-rehabilitation, and can provide inputs based on their experiences beyond their conditions. This paper draws on our experiences gained from a two-phase experiential learning research project that involved occupational therapy students learning from persons with disabilities. This paper aims to provide eight highly feasible, systematic tips to involve persons with disabilities as standardised patients for assessments and practical lessons. We highlight the importance of considering persons with disabilities when they are in their role of standardised patients as paid co-workers rather than volunteers or patients. This partnership between persons with disabilities and educators should be viewed as a reciprocally beneficial one whereby the university and the disability community learn from one another.

Keywords:           Standardised Patients, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), Persons with Disabilities, Inclusion, Role-play, Script, Practical Lessons

I. INTRODUCTION

The use of standardised patients (SPs) has become integral to the contemporary healthcare and medical education sector. While an SP is commonly defined as a person trained to portray a scenario, an SP can also be an actual patient using his or her own history and physical exam findings (Kowitlawakul, Chow, Salam, & Ignacio, 2015). Presently, persons with disability (PWDs) have participated in SP programs, albeit less frequently and on a smaller scale (Long-Bellil et al., 2011; Minihan et al., 2004; Wells, Byron, McMullen, & Birchall, 2002). SPs with disabilities have also been used in Singapore hospitals, but mainly as patients to be examined for their own medical conditions. PWDs have a lot to offer in clinical education beyond sharing about their conditions.

A. Why Incorporate Persons with Disabilities into SP Programs?

There are many benefits in involving PWDs in SP programs. PWDs may be able to impart knowledge that ‘goes beyond the textbook’, due to their experiences of receiving services from various healthcare professionals – from the time the disability occurred to the post-rehabilitation phase of living independently in society. The input given based on their individual experiences would, therefore, be authentic (Wells et al., 2002). Students can get practice working with real PWDs in a safe setting where they can make mistakes and receive feedback before going for their clinical placements and meeting with real patients (Minihan et al., 2004). This can nurture a new generation of healthcare professionals who may be more proficient in treating PWDs, thereby raising the service delivery standard for the entire sector.

B. Perspectives Gained From Previous Experiential Learning Project

This paper is based on our experiences gained from a previous experiential learning research project. PWDs participated in a two-phase experiential learning research project that spanned two years (Lim, Tan, Lim, & Goh, 2018). In phase one, the PWDs acted as community teachers to occupational therapy student groups, interacting with them in the community while performing their daily activities. This paper draws from our experiences in Phase Two of the study, in which a group of PWDs were trained to and worked as SPs in practical classes and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). Upon the conclusion of the research project, PWDs continue to be part of the degree programme contributing as community teachers and SPs. The paper aims to provide practical helpful tips in bringing PWDs onboard as SPs.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Tip 1 – Interviewing and Selecting PWDs Who Are Suitable for Acting

PWDs were selected based on six criteria determined by faculty members in the health profession who have prior experience working with SPs. First, the PWD has an interest in healthcare education and wants to work with students for the purpose of educating them as future healthcare professionals. Second, the PWD should have come to terms and accepted their disability. It is very difficult for them to talk about their disability or role-play as a patient when they are still struggling emotionally with their own conditions. Third, the PWD does not have cognitive impairment and is able to understand and remember the script for role-playing. Fourth, he/she must be able to communicate clearly and coherently. Fifth, the PWD should be willing to learn the basics of acting or role-playing. Sixth, he/she must understand the objectives of the training or assessment, such as being impartial to all students and being honest in giving feedback when required.

B. Tip 2 – Training Should Be Conducted in Gradual Phases

Training PWDs as SPs can be carried out in a gradual phase as outlined in details in Figure 1. In the first phase, novice PWD SPs are taught the basics of role-play by faculty and experienced SPs. In the second phase, the entire group goes through a common script. Novice PWD SPs observe the faculty and experienced SPs enact the script. Then, the novice PWD SPs practice amongst themselves and receive feedback.

After the training, faculty should speak to the PWDs individually to determine if they are comfortable with role-playing and address any queries that they may have. It is only after they attempt the role of an SP that they can personally assess their comfort level and confidence. This can ensure that the PWDs who participate are comfortable with their roles and feel engaged and respected by the institution.

In the third phase, PWD SPs can progress to non-graded practical lessons with students, which are less stressful for both students and PWD SPs. In subsequent phases, the faculty can then decide to select PWD SPs whom they deem are ready for summative assessments such as the OSCE.

C. Tip 3 – Start Novice PWD SPs with Simple and Suitable Scripts

Initial scripts should be simple and should not require complex acting skills. It takes time to gain confidence in memorising required lines, maintaining their roles as well as acting in scenarios which require more expression of emotions. Scripts that involve more sophisticated acting skills (e.g., maintenance of strong emotions) should be reserved for SPs who are experienced and confident with acting. The PWD SPs should be matched to suitable scripts that do not conflict with their disability. For example, a PWD SP who uses a wheelchair cannot be paired with a script that involves walking. The combination of progressing gradually and usage of suitable scripts allows for PWD SPs to refine their skills and ensure that their acting skills do not compromise the students’ learning experience.

D. Tip 4 – Prepare Students Not to Be Surprised By Real Disability

Prior to the interaction session, students should be pre-empted by the faculty that they would be working with PWDs who may have a range of disabilities. This is to prevent unnecessary surprise. In addition, students should be reminded that the disability may or may not be the focus of the scenario, depending on the instruction given to the student. For example, in an OSCE scenario, students may be tasked to explain a medical error or demonstrate a procedural skill instead of addressing the disability of the SP. This pre-empting can be complemented with teaching communication skills geared towards interacting with PWDs.

E. Tip 5 – Checking Accessibility – Within and Outside of the Venue

Ensuring accessibility prior to the session is important. This includes the route from the nearest public transport node (e.g., train station) to the venue. Things to take note of are the availability of ramps and lifts for wheelchair users and the presence of accessible parking lots. In addition, the venue where the lesson or assessment is going to take place needs to be inspected to ensure that the entrances and exits are wide enough for wheelchairs access.

Figure 1. Diagram to outline general recommended steps for training PWD SPs