LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 29, 2013) – For the hundreds of University of Kentucky students working on their professional degrees in various medical fields, practice makes perfect. This is especially true when it comes to learning how to interact with patients.
But how do students gain that kind of experience? The answer is a highly controlled and organized standardized patient program, where members of the community act out the roles of patients in various circumstances the soon-to-be health care professionals will surely face.
"Our program hopes to develop the students' interpersonal and communication skills," said Joe Gatton, coordinator of the College of MedicineLearning Center. "There is so much they can learn from listening to and looking at and laying hands on the patient before rushing to expensive, invasive (and sometimes unnecessary) tests or medications."
Someone has to play the role of a patient to make this process work. Watch the video above to find out who does that!
This video feature is part of a new series produced by UKNow called "Who Does That?" The idea is to show you the unique students, faculty and staff who make UK tick.
We want to showcase how UK students, faculty and staff work each and every day to keep The Kentucky Promise alive and well.
The "Who Does That?" series is a monthly feature on UKNow. We invite you to submit future ideas. If you've ever wondered, "Who does that?" about something at UK, please email us. Who knows? We might just use your question for our next feature!
TO OBTAIN VIDEO INFORMATION: Amy Jones, (859) 257-2940, amy.jones2@uky.edu OR Kody Kiser, (859) 257-5282, kody.kiser@uky.edu
