The Standardized Patient (SP) Program is an integral part of the Alumni Center for Medical Education. It provides healthcare students a safe place to practice the skills that will make them better healthcare practitioners.

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 SPs 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, improving each future clinician's ability to provide the very best health care.

By interacting with standardized patients before their clinical rotations begin, U of L health sciences students improve their diagnostic reasoning, physical exam, and communication skills.