title: Standardized patient training: a modality for teaching interviewing skills.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standardized patient training involves an experiential approach to clinical training, using laypeople acting as patients to provide skills-building opportunities for health care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized patient training was used for 2 years in combination with a computer-based continuing education program or traditional inservice program to teach two important communication skills: human immunodeficiency virus-related risk assessment and posttest counseling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Assessments by more than 500 participants in a rural setting were overwhelmingly positive, with increased willingness and ability to perform the risk assessment and counseling in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardized patient training is viewed very positively by participants. Longitudinal observations of clinical behaviors would be necessary to confirm behavior changes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Nursing, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Konkle-Parker
authors.forename: Carl K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hamill
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003376:Counseling; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D016544:Patient Simulation; D012423:Rural Health