Revitalising the SP through authentication: the authentic portrayal

Often the scenarios and preparation time given to Simulated/Standardised Patients (SPs) is not sufficient. This leads to superficial portrayals lacking of energy. Due to incongruent verbal and non-verbal language, these portrayals often come across as unrealistic and fabricated. This article aims at describing a process which will enable the SP to become as authentic as possible within a limited space of time and with a basic scenario. THE CREATION OF SUBTEXT: By building a story around the scenario and creating a person behind the "patient", the SP's portrayal will become more authentic. This need not take any more time than reviewing the scenario does.

Authentication will lead to a true, realistic portrayal with improved focus and energy levels, enabling the SP to facilitate honest communication. In turn, this will afford the student doctors the possibility to learn to read between the lines, to listen to what the SP is not telling them and to get to the bottom of the "patient's" story.