PP208 - Expanding the Use of Standardized Patients in the Audiology Curriculum

Abstract:
Audiology programs are integrating standardized patient (SP) experiences to bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical scenarios. This presentation explores how SP labs can be designed to improve students' diagnostic and communication skills in a controlled environment. We will also share how SPs can be used in comprehensive clinical exams to better assess student practical skills across integrated course concepts. Best practices for developing effective SP labs and evaluating outcomes will be shared, highlighting the reported benefits from both student and faculty perspectives.

Summary:
This interactive 60-minute session will explore the implementation of standardized patients (SPs) into the audiology curriculum. The session will include background information regarding student outcomes following SP events, as well as ways that SP events have been implemented into our audiology graduate curriculum at the University of South Alabama. Implementation strategies from both clinical and academic courses will be discussed, including the use of SPs for students in varying levels of the program, for Interprofessional Education (IPE) events, and as part of competency-based clinical assessments. The session will also address logistical issues that may arise in planning SP events, including barriers to successful events, and ways to plan events even when resources are limited. Attendees will then be given the opportunity to brainstorm with other attendees, and create individualized SP scenarios for students in their own program with guidance from the presenters. The following time-ordered agenda is proposed:

(10 mins): Introductions and research regarding the use of SPs
(10 mins): Application of SPs in an audiology doctoral program
(10 mins): Logistics in planning SP events
(20 mins): Workshop/Application activity for attendees
(10 mins): Summary/Wrap-up/Questions

Takeaways from this workshop-based session explore innovative ways to engage students with standardized patients, not only to develop specific clinical and academic skills, but also to further develop communication skills that research suggests are often lacking in younger generations of students. SP events are an effective teaching strategy because they give students the opportunity to develop skills like communication and interaction and can also help students develop critical thinking and clinical integration skills in a professional, yet low-stakes environment. Additionally, SP events are an effective teaching tool that allow faculty to recognize areas where students may need additional knowledge and/or practice. The development of these skills better prepares audiology students to enter their externship year, and beyond that, to apply for and be successful in future audiology positions.

This session offers valuable insights for anyone interested in expanding Standardized Patient (SP) experiences in audiology education. Educators at all levels will benefit from learning how to integrate SPs in both academic and clinical settings. By participating, attendees will acquire practical knowledge on how to enhance audiology instruction through SP experiences, improving students' diagnostic and communication skills in a controlled environment. This interactive workshop will cover best practices for SP lab development, outcome assessment, and effective methods to bridge classroom learning with clinical scenarios.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway for this session is that standardized patient interactions offer audiology students a safe, controlled environment to develop diagnostic and communication skills before clinical rotations, while also providing valuable assessment opportunities to evaluate students' practical competencies through comprehensive examinations.

Assumptions
This session is designed to inspire an audience that is somewhat familiar with the use of standardized patients to implement innovative uses for SPs in the audiology curriculum.