Standardized Patients (SPs) are persons trained to portray a patient scenario, or an actual patient using their own history and physical exam findings, for the instruction, assessment, or practice of communication and/or examining skills of a health care provider.

SPs are utilized to provide a safe and supportive environment that is conducive for learning. Standardized Patients can be directly involved in the debriefing and feedback, which are a critical part of simulation training, by providing the perspective of the patient to the caregiver.