Standardized Patient Program

The Waterloo Regional Campus Standardized Patient Program (SPP) is a joint initiative with the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy.

What is the Standardized Patient Program?

The integrated Standardized Patient Program (SPP) brings two of Canada’s leading educational institutions - McMaster University and the University of Waterloo - together to provide new opportunities for inter-professional training and education. Students from both schools are able to practice their skills on Standardized Patients, (SPs,) who are thoroughly trained to simulate every aspect of a real-world patient scenario.
What are Standardized Patients?
- A standardized patient (SP) is a healthy person who is trained to realistically and accurately reproduce a physical and/or emotional medical scenario that a real patient would present.
- For the sake of simplicity, think: Actor.
- Standardized Patients are active partners in the education of our students.
- SPs provide faculty and learners opportunities to teach, assess, and refine a variety of skills, including history taking, physical examinations, counseling, and clinical interventions.
- SPs are occasionally also used as Physical Exam Models for clinical skills practice.
- SPs can be used in a variety of settings such as interactive teaching sessions, group demonstrations, clinical examinations, as well as part of large group lectures.
What are some qualities of a great standardized patient?
- An Active listener.
- Unbiased.
- Emotionally mature.
- Professional
- Reliable
- Comfortable giving constructive feedback.
- Coachable.
- Someone who recognizes their integral role in the education of our future healthcare providers.

Think you might make a great SP?

We Are Recruiting!

Our Standardized Patients (SPs) come from a variety of backgrounds! Medical, and/or acting experience can be helpful, but not required. If you would like to be considered for a position with our program, please complete the WRSPP Application Form here.

Once submitted, you may be contacted to attend an information session/group interview.

For more information on booking, or on becoming, a standardized patient, contact: