Physician Assistant students prepared for their future careers with simulations in the Shouse Building on Monday. As part of the program's psychiatry unit, they interviewed multiple standardized patients with different psychological histories.
The students see these simulations as an important part of their learning process.
“As providers, we get a little caught up in the diagnosis and the treatment, and not so much in how to talk to a patient," said first-year student Aysia Levy. "Practicing these types of simulations is very helpful."
While PA students often practice real-world scenarios within the classroom, having a standardized patient to work with expands their learning experience.
“In the classroom, you're practicing with people you know really well, and can anticipate what's going to happen,” explained Madeline Lucke, also a first-year student. “When you're in your simulation, things are more up in the air, and you need to learn to be flexible and adapt to the patient.”