Use of Standardized Patients in Clinical Assessments: Recent Developments and Measurement Findings

Abstract

This article reviews recent developments and measurement findings on the use of live patient simulations or “standardized patients” in performance examinations to assess the competence of medical professionals. The results of large-scale standardized patient-based performance assessments are presented and discussed in terms of their feasibility, reliability, validity, and implications for assessing competence in other professions.