The Standardized Patient (SP) Program is an integral part of the Alumni Center for Medical Education. It gives medical, nursing and dental students the real-life experience necessary to become better diagnosticians, communicators and healers.

The SP Program employs highly trained educators to portray patients with a wide variety of symptoms and illnesses. Beginning in the first year of medical school, these standardized patients teach students to perform a complete physical examination, take a medical history and effectively communicate with an extensive and diverse population.

Faculty preceptors and standardized patients themselves provide detailed feedback to each student, thereby improving each future clinician's ability to provide the very best health care. By interacting with standardized patients before their clinical rotations begin, UofL health sciences students are more confident and knowledgeable when faced with their first clinical experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application to be a Standardized Patient

Not every patient can be saved, but his illness may be eased by the way the doctor responds to him. And in response to him the doctor may save himself...He has little to lose and everything to gain by letting the sick man into his heart. If he does, they can share as few others can the wonder, terror, and exultation of being on the edge of being.

Intoxicated by My Illness, Anatole Broyad