Patient actor training improves preexposure prophylaxis delivery for adolescent girls and young women in Kenya: a cluster randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of a standardized patient actor (SP) training intervention to improve quality of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya.

Design: Cluster randomized trial and mystery shopper evaluation.

Methods: Twelve of 24 maternal child health and family planning facilities were randomized to SP training.

Higher rates of mental health screening of adolescents recorded after provider training using simulated patients in a Kenyan HIV clinic: results of a pilot study.

Background: Kenyan adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) experience a dual burden of HIV and common mental disorders (CMD). HIV clinics are a key entry point for AGYW in need of integrated CMD and HIV care; however, rates of screening and referral for CMDs are low. Our objective was to test an evidence-based provider training strategy, simulated patient encounters (SPEs), on CMD service delivery for AGYW in a Kenyan HIV clinic.

The Fidelity of a Pharmacy-Based Oral HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Delivery Model in Kenya.

Background: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery at private pharmacies is a promising new differentiated service delivery model that may address barriers to PrEP delivery at public health care facilities. We measured the fidelity of this model (ie, delivery as intended) in a pilot study in Kenya.

Setting: Five private, retail pharmacies in Kisumu and Thika Counties.

Simulated patient training to improve youth engagement in HIV care in Kenya: A stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial.

Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) report that negative interactions with health care workers (HCWs) affects willingness to return to care. This stepped wedge randomized trial evaluated effectiveness of a standardized patient actor (SP) HCW training intervention on adolescent engagement in care in Kenya. HCWs caring for YLHIV at 24 clinics received training on adolescent care, values clarification, communication, and motivational interviewing, with 7 SP encounters followed by facilitated feedback of videotaped interactions.

Mystery Shopper Assessment of PrEP Service Delivery Quality for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Kenya: A Cross-sectional Study.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) may be negatively influenced by poor interactions with health care providers. We assessed PrEP counseling using unannounced standardized patient actors (USPs) at routine care clinics in Kenya. Trained actors posed as AGYW seeking PrEP services following case scripts and completed a checklist of provider adherence to national guidelines and communication skills.

":" Training Satisfaction and Subsequent Practice among Health Providers Participating in a Standardized Patient Actor Training to Improve Adolescent Engagement in HIV Care.

Background: Poor health care worker (HCW) interactions with adolescents negatively influence engagement in HIV care. We assessed the impact of standardized patient actor training on HCW competence in providing adolescent HIV care in Kenya.

Methods: We conducted pre-post cross-sectional surveys and qualitative exit interviews during a stepped wedge randomized trial.

Improving Quality of PrEP Counseling for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Kenya With Standardized Patient Actors: A Dose-Response Analysis.

Background: Health care worker (HCW) training using standardized patient actors (SPs) is an evidence-based approach for improving patient-provider interactions. We evaluated whether SP training among HCWs in Western Kenya improved the quality of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) counseling for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Methods: We conducted a 2-day SP training intervention among HCWs providing PrEP counseling for AGYW.

SP safety, autonomy and healthcare simulation practice in the COVID-19 era.

This letter expands upon the three tenets of the Healthcare Simulation Manifesto-comprehensive safety, collaborative advocacy, and ethical leadership. To do this, we will discuss two key terms: 'essential' and 'autonomy' in relation to safety for standardized/simulated patients (SPs). In this time of crisis, simulationists must move the boundary of skills training previously accepted as safe for human beings, and leverage technology to ensure the highest level of safety achievable for our SPs.

Standardised patient encounters to improve quality of counselling for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya: study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of HIV acquisition. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration projects observe that AGYW uptake and adherence to PrEP during risk periods is suboptimal. Judgemental interactions with healthcare workers (HCW) and inadequate counselling can be barriers to PrEP use among AGYW.

Simulated patient encounters to improve adolescent retention in HIV care in Kenya: study protocol of a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adolescent-friendly policies aim to tailor HIV services for adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 years (AYA) to promote health outcomes and improve retention in HIV care and treatment. However, few interventions focus on improving healthcare worker (HCW) competencies and skills for provision of high-quality adolescent care. Standardized patients (SPs) are trained actors who work with HCWs in mock clinical encounters to improve clinical assessment, communication, and empathy skills.

Three methods of delivering clinic-based training on syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases in South Africa: a pilot study.

Introduction: The South African National Department of Health sought to improve syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Continuing medical education on STIs was delivered at primary healthcare (PHC) clinics using one of three training methods: (1) lecture, (2) computer and (3) paper-based. Clinics with training were compared with control clinics.

Standardized patient assessment of medical student empathy: ethnicity and gender effects in a multi-institutional study.

Purpose: To examine, primarily, the effects of ethnicity and gender, which could introduce bias into scoring, on standardized patient (SP) assessments of medical students and, secondarily, to examine medical students' self-reported empathy for ethnicity and gender effects so as to compare self-perception with the perceptions of SPs.

Method: Participants were 577 students from four medical schools in 2012: 373 (65%) were white, 79 (14%) black/African American, and 125 (22%) Asian/Pacific Islander. These students were assessed by 84 SPs: 62 (74%) were white and 22 (26%) were black/African American.

Characteristics of simulation activities at North American medical schools and teaching hospitals: an AAMC-SSH-ASPE-AACN collaboration.

In September 2011, the Association of American Medical Colleges released the results of a survey conducted in 2010 on simulation activities at its member medical schools and teaching hospitals. In this commentary, we offer a synthesis of data and conclude that (1) simulation is used broadly at Association of American Medical Colleges member institutions, for many types of learners, including other health care professionals; (2) it addresses core training competencies and has many educational purposes; (3) its use in learner assessment is more prevalent at medical schools but is still significant at teaching hospitals; and (4) it requires a considerable investment of money, space, personnel, and time. These data confirm general perceptions about the state of simulation in North America for physician training.