Jacksonville University Employs Actors for Clinical Simulations

Simulating bedside care at Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University relies on specially trained actors to portray patients in clinical simulations, helping healthcare students build essential communication and clinical skills, according to the Jacksonville University Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences (BRCHS) Standardized Patient and Embedded Actor program website.

The Standardized Patient (SP) and Embedded Actor (EA) program enhances experiential clinical training across undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs at the university. Standardized Patients and Embedded Actors have been used to improve learner outcomes in healthcare simulation for decades, allowing students to practice both clinical and inter-personal skills in a safe environment.

Core competencies in controlled clinical encounters

Students in the BRCHS program interact with these actors during scenarios focused on core clinical competencies. These exercises cover history taking, physical assessment, illness management, preventative care, patient education, prioritization of care, and critical thinking. By working with actors who follow pre-set parameters, students learn to maintain consistency while navigating patient encounters.

Realism remains a central focus of the simulation framework. When SPs and EAs are interwoven into simulation scenarios that represent real-life situations, student awareness is heightened. This direct exposure strengthens patient-caregiver interpersonal communication skills and promotes the incorporation of culturally focused interactions, which result in the provision of quality patient-centered care.

Structured feedback and active student reflection

Beyond the simulation itself, the program relies on structured feedback. Jacksonville University notes that both verbal and written feedback from the SPs/EAs encourages students to self-examine and independently problem-solve, refining their clinical skills through active reflection.

Bridging textbook theory and practical application

The use of embedded actors provides a real-world dimension to healthcare students’ clinical training. As healthcare institutions prioritize bedside manner alongside technical proficiency, simulation programs offer a way to prepare clinicians to provide compassionate, relatable care to a diverse population of individuals.