Cancer survivors as standardized patients: An innovative program integrating cancer survivors into structured clinical teaching

Background. Increasingly, standardized patients are involved in medical education; however, reports of cancer survivors functioning as standardized patients have not been available. This study describes the participation of cancer survivors as standardized patients in structured clinical teaching. Methods. Forty-two cancer survivors, 354 trainees, and 54 faculty members took part in the structured clinical instruction modules (SCIMs) at five academic institutions. After completing the SCIMs, the cancer survivors answered evaluation questionnaire items concerning their perceptions of the course, and all participants (cancer survivors, faculty members, medical students, and residents) rated the benefit of the participation of cancer survivors. The evaluation items were rated on a five-point scale ranging from 1 = 'strongly disagree' to 5 = 'strongly agree.' Results. The evaluation responses were very positive, and the cancer survivors expressed a strong willingness to participate in future courses. Faculty members, residents, and medical students all rated the benefit of using cancer survivors highly. Conclusions. The participation of cancer survivors in structured clinical teaching was considered beneficial not only by the cancer survivors themselves, but also by the faculty members, residents, and medical students who were involved in the educational program. The role of cancer survivors in the education of physicians needs to be expanded.