Moving Beyond Manikins: Simulated Participants in Emergency Medicine Training (Sponsored by the Simulation Academy)

Standardized patients and simulated participants provide critical realism beyond what manikins can offer, particularly for preparing trainees for patient-centered communication in the dynamic, high-stress environment of emergency medicine. With the American Board of Emergency Medicine incorporating objective structured clinical examinations into the certifying examination, emergency medicine educators have an opportunity to more intentionally integrate standardized patient–based education into residency training.

This didactic will review best practices for designing and implementing standardized patient–based curricula in emergency medicine, with a focus on professionalism and communication competencies. Participants will engage in interactive small-group work with experienced educators to develop high-yield standardized patient scenarios, prepare standardized patients for authentic engagement, and align program goals with effective use of standardized patients. The session will also address strategies for optimizing debriefing and feedback.

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to move beyond manikin-based simulation and implement richer, more holistic learning experiences for emergency medicine trainees.