Being a standarized patient

Has anyone acted as a volunteer patient for training purposes?

There are people here who do that and not necessarily for free.

I've done it for about 10 years for various medical schools. Never for free. It's a professional job,you're a teacher, not just a body.

I'd actually be scared of being a standardized patient for two reasons- being physically hurt by clumsy or overly eager med students, and having a perpetual hard-on from being naked and touched by several women at once.

For a perpetually horny and frustrated single man like myself, accepting such a gig just seems like it would be a BAD idea. Interestingly enough, I never once became erect during the handful of times I was a nude art model. I didn't even stir. Being touched might be a whole different ball game, though.

Most of what you describe is fantasy but if that's what's going through your head, you're not a good candidate.

Which part is fantasy- the being hurt part or the boner part?

Being naked and touched by several women at once AND being hurt. You are always in control of the situation. Pain stops immediately. And touching is done one on one in a professional manner.

As a Gay Diabetic with Nuropathy issues, Aschaemic Heart condition, Parathyroid, lifelong urinary problems and Erectile Dysfunction to name but a few conditions I have, I would really like to participate as a Standardized Patient. However, I am in the North of England (UK), and I have searched and contacted Hospitals and Medical schools over the years to no avail. Is it just in the USA where this happens or can anyone in the UK advise me on where I need to be looking if they have actually been a patient

Thanks to you, jds4med, and others like you who serve as standardized patients. We can all look forward to well trained medical professionals in the years to come.

As a Gay Diabetic with Nuropathy issues, Aschaemic Heart condition, Parathyroid, lifelong urinary problems and Erectile Dysfunction to name but a few conditions I have, I would really like to participate as a Standardized Patient. However, I am in the North of England (UK), and I have searched and contacted Hospitals and Medical schools over the years to no avail. Is it just in the USA where this happens or can anyone in the UK advise me on where I need to be looking if they have actually been a patient

The work is growing in the US but I have no knowledge about Europe, sorry.

Doctorprg, Your post raises an interesting point. As diabetes continues to spread here in the US, it is important that the medical professionals in training by familiar with the disease and its treatments. I too am diabetic with ED, no nuropathy yet but it will probably come. jds4med made the point that an important aspect of the standardized patient is teaching. Having trainees examine someone who is diabetic may add to their learning.

At the school where I currently work, the cases are strictly scripted. Actually, that's the definition of 'standardized patient.' During their clinical experiences, they'll work with real patients with real health challenges.

I think that would be fun - particularly for those who need help with cardiac auscultation. I've got a heart murmur myself, and even some medical professionals have missed it!

They learn abnormal heart and breath sounds from electronic devices.

I've applied but its somewhat time intensive.

Are we allowed on this forum to offer to pay for people to be standardized patients?

Are you a medical school or trying to post a classified ad? If so, there is a classified ad area that's not a forum.

I have my reservations about doing this, but it is definitely a fantasy.

As a Gay Diabetic with Nuropathy issues, Aschaemic Heart condition, Parathyroid, lifelong urinary problems and Erectile Dysfunction to name but a few conditions I have, I would really like to participate as a Standardized Patient. However, I am in the North of England (UK), and I have searched and contacted Hospitals and Medical schools over the years to no avail. Is it just in the USA where this happens or can anyone in the UK advise me on where I need to be looking if they have actually been a patient

doctorprg

I'm from the Midlands in the UK. I have numerous medical conditions . I've been a patient a few times now for various Dr exams and just for their training .

I was an inpatient last week and once I was off ICU I was approached and asked if I could be a patient for two Drs in their final year of training . They had no clue what any of my diagnoses were . They had to work things out for themselves .

After they had finished we spoke at length and they enjoyed what they did.

If you look in your local hospital there may be posters advertising and asking for patients . I've seen plenty around in the outpatient clinics I attend . My hospital is a teaching hospital connected to the university so that may be the reason why they seem to ask for real patients on a regular basis . I do get paid a small fee for helping out .

Hope that helps

Nikki

I have so much on my plate at the present, I wouldn't even be able to do that sort of thing until I retire.

Always thought it would be a thrill but never have. I've had an ultrasound tech student train on me for a testicular ultrasound and she was gorgeous. Made it a struggle to stay limp

Every 6 mos. my vascular surgeon wants an ultra sound of my aorta, femorals , all down my legs and feet, to check on my AAA REPAIR he did a years ago. All my ultra sounds have been done by very kind techs. The male techs. don't do anything for me, but any female tech. is a joy to be attended to. Just last week I was under the care of a veteran female tech. and two female 4th year students. They were all wonderful and I thanked them very much for their kindness and skill. I don't get erect, but I enjoy the care I get from these ladies. I am always polite and professional to these techs. and never fail to thank them.

Where do i sign up?

I'd like to if i had the opportunity. Especially if it would involve my genitalia

My previous post below from another thread; and I just started doing SP work again after a long layoff, that will be posted shortly.

I was steered at SP work originally by a bodybuilder, who was getting paid to let groups of new med students practice giving complete physicals; they practiced auscultation, gave him DREs and testicular exams (U of Minn, '80s.) I offered to volunteer initially, was informed that all schools paid their SPs - GU and testicular ultrasound sessions paid well in my experience.

"As I mentioned, almost every medical school in California and Arizona uses SP's, several advertise periodically for new SP's to apply (UCLA is generally looking, older males and minorities especially.) The training tended not to be too strenuous, MOST but not all didn't require too much depth - be able to read a case and remember it consistently (You are Mr. X, have a fever and feeling of pressure in the middle of your chest/back, are/are not feeling nauseated, pain/no pain in arm or fingers. Drink moderately, office job, married 23 years with 2 kids, etc.) Generally just answer the questions they posed, don't volunteer anything extra - make them scratch their heads and figure your diagnosis out.

I preferred the GU workshops - being a warm body was no challenge, and I enjoyed the anticipation - sitting and waiting on the exam table for the next group of 20-somethings, feeling the cool exam paper crinkling under my bare butt where the gown doesn't quite meet and looking at the boxes of S thru XL exam gloves and GUAIAC cards at my elbow. Wondering who'd have the smallest fingers, AND biggest; and which ones would bring me up on my toes during the prostate exam (generally the moose with the biggest finger) as they made the plunge. Who'd faint, as happens occasionally (never to me, but several other TA's had stories).

Was good while it lasted, enjoyed the students and their energy, and the campuses are a nice environment. A SMALL part of the reason I stopped doing it was fear of being naked and meeting former students, especially in a GU session - someone who got a D in Visual Basic, and wanted to examine my prostate up to their elbow. Awkward to be face-to-face (well, ass-to-face) after hectoring them as a student in a technology class."

I hear that you can volunteer to be the "patient" for students learning how to examine people and stuff.

Is that true?

How can you volunteer?

Not to volunteer. Those days are largely GONE.

You have to be trained to become a standardized patient.

Hopefully Jds4med will chime in here.

Sadly Jds is no longer here.

OK, I did some checking on this.

ChubbyLeah, there is a considerable amount of training involved to become a standardized patient.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/simulation_center/training/standardized_patient_program

https://www.bcm.edu/education/schools/medical-school/programs/standardized-patient-program

http://ome.stanford.edu/spp/

You can search for more info.

They are not going to immediately recruit you and have students juggle your balls as they push on your prostate.

LOL your last sentence made LOL big time!