Adolescent standardized patients: method of selection and assessment of benefits and risks.
BACKGROUND
Our psychiatric Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) group wishes to develop adolescent psychiatry OSCE stations. The literature regarding adolescent standardized patient (SP) selection methods and simulation effects, however, offered limited assurance that such adolescents would not experience adverse simulation effects.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of adolescent SP selection methods and simulation effects for low- and high-stress roles.


METHODS
A two-component (employment-psychological) SP selection method was used. Carefully selected SPs were assigned across three conditions: low-stress medical role, high-stress psychosocial role, and wait list control. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used to assess simulation effects.


RESULTS
Our selection method excluded 21% (7% employment and 14% psychological) of SP applicants. For SP participants, beneficial effects included acquisition of job skills and satisfaction in making an important contribution to society. SP reactions of discomfort to roles were reported. Long-term adverse effects were not identified.


CONCLUSIONS
A two-component adolescent SP selection method is recommended. Adolescent SP benefits outweigh risks.
Hanson
Mark
M
Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. mark.hanson@sickkids.ca
Tiberius
Richard
R
Hodges
Brian
B
MacKay
Sherri
S
McNaughton
Nancy
N
Dickens
Susan
S
Regehr
Glenn
G
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000592:standards*; D012015:Reference Standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological