Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

News Archive

Bond involves the community in educating future doctors

01 November 2005

As part of its new medical program, Bond University is inviting members of the public to assist with training students in the crucial skills of effective patient communication, through simulating real-life medical scenarios.

“We’re looking for volunteer patients, who could be asked about their medical history and present situation, or invited to undergo simple examinations such as blood pressure readings or hand examinations,” said Dr Vivienne O’Connor, Associate Dean of Clinical Training at Bond.

‘In addition to volunteer patients, we are also recruiting a small team of ‘standardised patients’. These are people who will be trained to ‘have’ a specific medical problem and role-play their ‘symptoms’ in a simulated doctor-patient consultation. They are also taught to provide feedback to the students. This teaching method has been used to great effect in medical schools both in Australia and internationally for many years,’ she said.

Dr O’Connor is a strong advocate for involving members of the public in the education of medical students, and says it is essential for developing proficient doctor-patient skills.

“Our medical graduates will spend many hours talking to patients during their working lives. Yet feedback from the community suggests that this is something the medical fraternity could still do better. Being able to talk effectively with patients in a sensitive manner is essential for good patient care,” Dr O’Connor said.

“Through this program, students are able to practise, reflect and receive feedback on their skills before their first ‘real’ patient encounters. And it happens in the safe environment of the university rather than with a possibly frightened, unwell patient in a busy doctor’s surgery or hospital clinic,” she said.

Helen is a trained ‘standardised patient’ and has been for the last nine years. She says she first became involved in the program because as a mother of three, she wanted to have some input into how her children’s future doctors were trained.

“I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the training of medical students while building on my own medical knowledge at the same time,” Helen said.

“It’s interesting, enjoyable and rewarding work. It can also be quite challenging learning the different medical scenarios. One day I might have to role-play a patient in severe pain, presenting doubled-over and with a distressed tone of voice. The next day I might have to simulate a psychological condition. It can be lots of fun taking on these different personas,” she said.

Helen said her employment as a ‘standardised patient’ worked well with the demands of motherhood.

“It’s quite flexible and I can adapt my hours to fit in around other work and family commitments.”

“I’ve gotten so much out of my experience so far. I’ve increased my own common skills and knowledge while having fun and building some really strong friendships. I think other people would really enjoy it as well,” Helen said.

Anyone interested in being involved in the Bond Medical Program is invited to attend an information session (with no obligation) on either Thursday, December 1 at 10am or Wednesday, December 7 at 10am. Whether you are fit and well, or have a specific health problem, you are invited to participate.

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