Each student took part in role-plays in which they practised dealing with each type of problem, while their performance during one of the role-plays was broadcast live in a room nearby. The broadcast was watched by those students (nine to 12 in number) who were not taking part in the simulations, along with several of their lecturers, who helped the students learn from the performances of their classmates.

The role-plays formed part of the Simulation Laboratory and Community Nursing subject, and each lasted for around eight minutes. The students, who had to respond to the patients’ requests, had previously studied the theory they needed to deal with each of the three problem areas (smoking, diet and burns), along with general aspects of communication and certain techniques such as motivational interviews.

This type of practical work involving simulated patients (also referred to as “standardized patients” in scientific literature) is highly innovative and a relatively novel practice in Spain. Role-plays of this kind give students a unique opportunity to practise their skills in a context that is real, yet safe.

Preparing for, performing and evaluating the role-plays are all complex processes. Dr. Emili Gené, who is a medical practitioner as well as a lecturer at the UIC, trains the “patients” according to the case studies prepared by the teaching staff on the Nursing programme. The role-plays themselves comprise three simulated consultations that take place over three days and involve the participation of Nursing students who are in the second year of their studies. The process also involves a live, closed-circuit broadcast of one of the consultations in order to facilitate the learning process and allow for an assessment of the students’ performances by an evaluation committee, which will provide them with feedback a few weeks after the session.

The team coordinating this practical work is led by Drs. Encarna Rodríguez and Marian de Juan and made up of María Gámiz, Vanesa Calvo, José Agudo and Sonia Ruiz.