The use of standardized patients in pediatric residency training in palliative care: anatomy of a standardized patient case scenario.

The use of standardized patients (SPs) is an emerging strategy in palliative care education. We have used this strategy to provide pediatric residents with a structured educational experience focused on effectively communicating bad news and concurrently understanding the emotions that they and the parents may experience. This article describes the importance of and process for realistic SP case development explicitly designed to address predetermined educational goals and objectives. Topics addressed include the types of potential SPs that can be utilized, their potential strengths and weaknesses, training issues which include giving constructive feedback, implementation strategies for the case scenarios and evaluation strategies.