Use of simulated patients for a communication skills exercise.

This article describes a training programme for people simulating the role of a patient with aphasia. Using the skills they had learned, the simulated patients (SPs) eventually took part in a pilot communication skills exercise, in which 86 nursing students participated and which was evaluated using a semi-structured questionnaire. The students reported that the SPs' portrayal of a patient with aphasia was realistic and appreciated being given the opportunity to rehearse safely in a simulated healthcare setting. The evaluation indicates that using a structured programme to train SPs to portray patients who have a communication difficulty, such as aphasia, is beneficial.