Online Teaching, Training and Simulation through Videoconference
To ensure continuity in medical and healthcare students’ experiential learning, the SPP offers both in-person and online standardized patient encounters. The online encounter utilizes SPs in online video-conferencing applications like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. These platforms have proven effective as online teaching tools that are user-friendly and have multiple levels of (evolving) security options. Leveraging this technology, we can simulate face-to-face encounters in order to:
practice/assess history-taking, data collection, counselling skills
observe organization of pertinent patient information
review differential and therapeutic management plans
elicit physical findings by verbalizing appropriate maneuver/test
evaluate verbal and non-verbal communication
illustrate that the communications aspect in video conferencing is similar to the telehealth format
practice decision-making skills, and how to interpret results
receive post-encounter feedback from simulated clients and tutors
provide a forum for participant debrief
prepare for a world where more online interfacing will become the norm
Online teaching, simulation, and assessments provide an additional mode of student learning and interaction, one which has proven instrumental in the practice of healthcare.
Contact Us
If your department wants to explore how the SPP can support new learning initiatives using remote online training and simulation, reach out to Lorena Dobbie, l.dobbie@utoronto.ca
