Evidence on simulated patients versus peer role play is mixed: equal competence in one randomised trial, higher skills and satisfaction for SPs in others¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r2 · q2–q3
Currency · newest study 2018 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? In a randomised study of 70 experienced medical practitioners training in behaviour change counselling, trainees reached the same level of competence whether assigned to a simulated patient group or peer role play group. → Pilnick Alison 2018 q2 i? Other comparison studies found higher practical clinical skills in the SP group and higher trainee satisfaction for SPs compared with role play. → 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

q3 · i? · review · r2

A randomised comparison in experienced medical practitioners training in behaviour change counselling: all 70 participants were assessed pre and post with a Behaviour Change Counselling Index; trainees "reached the same level of competence in both the experimental and control groups". No effect size printed.

"Trainees were randomly assigned to either a group using a SP, or a group doing role play with each other. All 70 participants had standardised consultations with a SP before and after training which were assessed by observers using a Behaviour Change Counselling Index rating scale."

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 other SP-versus-role-play comparison studies found "higher levels of practical clinical skills in the SP group" and higher trainee satisfaction. No effect sizes are printed.

"Other studies comparing SPs with peer role play have found higher levels of practical clinical skills in the SP group compared with the role play group [41], alongside higher levels of satisfaction from trainees [42]."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Conversation analytic comparisons show role-played and simulated interactions differ systematically from real interactions — related
• Studies of simulated patient-based CST report positive effects on trainee confidence and communication performance — related
• Direct comparisons find simulated patients as effective as real patients for CST outcomes — related
• Competency-based progression simulation combined with e-learning yields higher communication competence than e-learning alone or standard simulation — related
• AI-powered simulations show short-term gains in communication confidence and structured knowledge in RCTs, with limited or inferior effects for tactile psychomotor skills — related