title: The feasibility of standardized patient assessments as a best practice in an academic training program.
abstract: The use of standardized patient assessments (SPAs) in psychiatry is an emerging best practice. This column describes a survey of resident and faculty supervisors at a large academic department examining current practices, attitudes, and perceived barriers to incorporating SPAs into clinical practice. Although the study found that SPAs were not routinely used in clinical practice or supervision, residents and faculty were fairly optimistic about their potential value. The results suggest that educational initiatives should be integrated into clinical practice, start early within training, include both trainees and faculty supervisors, and set use of SPAs as an expected standard of care.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeon, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. ma2063@columbia.edu
authors: Melissa R
authors: MR
authors: Arbuckle
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Weinberg
authors: Kelli Jane K
authors: KJ
authors: Harding
authors: Abby J
authors: AJ
authors: Isaacs
authors: Nancy H
authors: NH
authors: Covell
authors: Deborah L
authors: DL
authors: Cabaniss
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Essock
authors: Lloyd I
authors: LI
authors: Sederer
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States