AIM: The objective of the study was to search, extract, appraise, and synthesize studies using standardized patients (SPs) in nursing academia to determine how this modality of simulation is being used.
BACKGROUND: SPs are a common simulation modality used in nursing education.
METHOD: This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Five databases were searched as well as keywords to retrieve nonindexed citations for the period January 2011 to September 2016. The inclusion criteria included nurses, a simulated experience with SPs, and original research published in English.
RESULTS: Sixty-five studies were identified and analyzed.
CONCLUSION: More randomized controlled trials and studies with power analyses and validated measurement instruments are needed. Studies that compare SPs to high-fidelity simulators are also desired to determine optimal student learning outcomes and standardize best practices in simulation.
