Demographic characteristics of standardized patients (SPs) and their satisfaction and burdensome in Japan: The first report of a nationwide survey / 医学教育

ABSTRACT

SPs have made a dramatic development in medical education over 10 years, due to the influence of medical education curriculum reform and the introduction of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination. However the quality of SPs' activities varies. In order to increase the quality it is necessary to analyze the psychological needs of SPs. The purpose of this survey is to explore SPs' personal characteristics and how they feel during their activities.<BR>1) In a nationwide survey of Japanese SPs, 332 SPs (62%) out of 532 responded.<BR>2) Sixty percent of SPs were between the ages of 50 and 69 years and the ratio of male to female SPs was 1 4. The ratio of workers and non-workers was 1 2.<BR>3) A qualitative analysis found that SP motivations were derived mainly from making a contribution to society and self-improvement. Ninety six percent of SPs were satisfied with being an SP, especially when they saw improvements in the students.<BR>4) However, 67% of SPs expressed difficulty with the three core skills of feedback, evaluation and performance.