Conversation analytic comparisons show role-played and simulated interactions differ systematically from real interactions¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2018 · checked against its sources 2026-11-01 (automated, 2 of 2 entries) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? CA comparison of role-played and real police interviews found substantial differences, including exaggerated role-played actions aimed at fulfilling assessment criteria. → Pilnick Alison 2018 q2 i? CA and discourse analysis comparisons of real versus simulated medical consultations found SPs presented symptoms as strange and unrecognizable, were more dominant, and initiated closings, unlike real patients. → Pilnick Alison 2018 (2)

Evidence¶

Pilnick Alison 2018¶

Pilnick Alison, Trusson Diane, Beeke Suzanne, O'Brien Rebecca, Goldberg Sarah, Harwood Rowan H. (2018). Using conversation analysis to inform role play and simulated interaction in communications skills training for healthcare professionals: identifying avenues for further development through a scoping review. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1381-1

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review reports Stokoe's CA comparison of audio recordings of role-played assessment police interviews with real police interviews, demonstrating "substantial differences between real life interviews and those using role play". Qualitative interactional analysis; no effect sizes.

"Using CA to examine the interactions in both cases demonstrated substantial differences between real life interviews and those using role play [51], casting doubt on the assumptions that role play is an accurate representation of what happens in real life situations."

Pilnick Alison 2018 (2)¶

Pilnick Alison, Trusson Diane, Beeke Suzanne, O'Brien Rebecca, Goldberg Sarah, Harwood Rowan H. (2018). Using conversation analysis to inform role play and simulated interaction in communications skills training for healthcare professionals: identifying avenues for further development through a scoping review. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1381-1

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review reports a discourse-analytic study of student HCP and SP interactions finding SPs "generally more dominant in the conversation than real patients would be" and initiating closings; a related CA study found SPs presented symptoms as strange and unrecognizable with no referral context.

"SPs were identified as generally more dominant in the conversation than real patients would be, and also closings were initiated by the SP rather than the HCP."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Evidence on simulated patients versus peer role play is mixed: equal competence in one randomised trial, higher skills and satisfaction for SPs in others — related
• Direct comparisons find simulated patients as effective as real patients for CST outcomes — related
• Recurring movements between professional (in-role) and educational (out-of-role) contexts during simulation are important for simulator training to fulfil its pedagogical potential — related
• Studies of simulated patient-based CST report positive effects on trainee confidence and communication performance — related