The program began at NJMS in 1987. Jo-Ann Reteguiz, MD, medicine clerkship course director, has given some 500 students OSCEs. As coordinator of the standardized patient program, she recruited the first actors from drama departments at local colleges and from an acting troupe known as The Mental Health Players. Soon people came from far and near. In fact, there are reports of SPs being in physicians' offices, and even they couldn't tell that some of their patients were actors.
Anxious students wait their turn to begin the day's testing.
After the student leaves the room, the SP must recall and record the tasks the student did or did not perform, using a checklist of up to 25 items. The list must be finished in less than five minutes. And such quick thinking is the order for the entire day. We once had a student who wanted to do a rectal exam. Mortified, the SP asked to use the rest room, then came and told me what happened.