Simulated patients program
Learn about our Simulated Patients program and help play a role in developing RANZCOG’s trainees.
Simulated patients program
Learn about our Simulated Patients program and help play a role in developing RANZCOG’s trainees.
About simulated patients
A simulated patient, often referred to as a standardised patient (SP) or simulated participant, is an individual trained to portray a specific medical condition or scenario in a realistic and standardised manner.
These individuals are commonly utilized in various healthcare education and training settings to help students, healthcare professionals, and researchers develop and refine their clinical skills, communication abilities, and decision-making processes.
The role of a simulated patient can vary across different contexts, including medical education, nursing education, and other healthcare disciplines.
Key aspects of a simulated patient's role
Training and performance
Simulated patients undergo comprehensive training to accurately portray the symptoms, behaviours, and medical history associated with a particular condition.
This training ensures consistency in the portrayal of the case, allowing learners to encounter a standardised experience.
Clinical skills assessment
Simulated patients are often used in clinical skills assessments, where healthcare students or professionals interact with them as if they were real patients.
This helps assess a range of skills, such as history-taking, physical examination, communication and interpersonal skills.
Communication skills training
Simulated patients play a crucial role in communication skills training.
Learners can practise breaking bad news, discussing treatment options, obtaining informed consent and addressing patients’ concerns in a controlled and supportive environment.
Cultural competence training
Simulated patients can also be used to address cultural competency in healthcare.
By portraying patients from diverse backgrounds, you can help learners develop skills in navigating cultural differences and providing patient-centered care.
What you need to know
Payment and superannuation
Simulated patients are paid $47 per hour.*
If you work less than 3 hours, you will receive a minimum of 3 hours paid work.
As you will be contracted on an ad-hoc basis, you won’t be entitled to Superannuation Guarantee Contributions.
Breaks and hours
You will be entitled to a 1 hour unpaid break for 5+ hours of work. The break may be broken into smaller breaks throughout the day.
You will be paid from the time of registration until the exam is finished or given permission to leave (this may be different to the finish time in the schedule).
RANZCOG exam topics
The exam will be focused around women’s health issues. This can include topics including sexual assault, stillbirth, miscarriage, gender, rape and infertility.
If you find these topics distressing, please reconsider acting as a standardised patient for these examinations.
*Some complex scenarios are paid at a higher rate. This will be discussed at time of booking.