[Application of standardized patients in teaching, learning and assessment]

The new German requirements for Licensure to practice medicine focus on teaching clinical skills. It will become difficult for Medical Schools to fulfil these new requirements in the training of medical students with the increasing cost effectiveness in patient care. Standardized patients can be a very useful tool in teaching clinical skills. Implementation of a standardized patients program provides a quasi-real but safe learning environment in which students can acquire skills in physical examination, history taking, interpersonal and communication skills. These skills can also be assessed in this environment.