Standardized Patient Program

The UNM School of Medicine Standardized Patient (SP) Program, one of the oldest in the country, started in 1979 and has expanded across disciplines. SPs are a diverse group of individuals representing the Albuquerque community from all walks of life and ages (over 16 years old). The pool currently has 150 SPs, aged 18-86.

Students interact with SPs in a variety of learning and testing activities. Training Specialists prepare SPs to portray patient cases for medical and other health sciences learners to practice clinical and communication skills, including: history taking, physical examination, other specialized clinical skills and patient-centered communication. SPs allow students to practice these skills in a safe, structured, faculty supervised setting before they encounter patients in a clinical environment.