An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Benefits of Being a Simulated Patient: Health Knowledge, Health Behaviors, and Well-Being.

INTRO: Simulated patients (SP) are individuals trained to portray patients in clinical encounters for health care education. This study explores potential health benefits and knowledge resulting from SP work. METHODS: Ten SPs at the researchers' institution were invited to 1-on-1 semistructured interviews that were recorded and transcribed. The authors approached the study through the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework to explore how SPs make sense of their experiences and the meanings they attach to them. Themes and sub-themes were developed from participant experiences and reflected upon by the authors. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged: Increased knowledge of the way medicine works, taking action, and personal and interpersonal well-being. SPs found that their knowledge of medical terms, healthy behaviors, and disease risks increased and resulted in changes to their lifestyle and experience in medical settings. They also noted a sense of purpose in their work, its intellectual rigor, and a newfound community, which made it a positive experience. The findings of this study align with models of health behavior while reinforcing and challenging prior qualitative studies of SPs. CONCLUSION: SPs can and do learn and apply knowledge obtained from their patient portrayals. They are also personally enriched by their role. Further analysis should examine quantitative health impacts and the specific experiences or scenarios that lead to changes in SPs' lifestyles and health behaviors. Community organizations may find simulated patient training and encounters to be a useful tool for teaching healthy behaviors and communication with physicians.