Using Children and Adolescents as Standardized Patients in Health: A Scoping Review and Evidence Map

Article type
Authors
Yu X1, Hou X2, Chen Y3
1WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation
2School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University
3Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Lanzhou University
Abstract
Background: Using children and adolescents as standardized patients play an increasingly important role in clinical teaching and practice. However, there are a lack of systematic descriptions of the current research status and existing problems on this topic.

Objectives: To evaluate children and adolescents as standardized patients, analyze the current research quantity, attribute and characteristics of children and adolescents as standardized patients, find the research gap and provide an evidence basis for developing guidelines and policies.

Methods: This review used Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodological framework as a guideline. For electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang), all Chinese and English literature related to children and adolescents as standardized patients published from the establishment to December 31, 2019 were retrieved. In addition, through Google Scholar, Baidu Xueshu, gray literature, references included in the study, etc. for supplementary search, and consult experts in related fields. Moreover, the research team is an interdisciplinary research team. Two reviewers were independently screening literature according to the inclusion-exclusion criteria formulated in advance and consulted third-party when we have a dispute.

Results: We included 35 articles in this scoping review. Most of the children and adolescents as standardized patients were studied in the United States (13), Canada (14) and the United Kingdom (4). Four articles are review, of which 31 articles, children and adolescents as standardized patients was mainly used to educate (15) or evaluate (16) medical students or healthcare providers. Using children and adolescents as standardized patients are mainly used in clinical settings (such as diarrhea, headache, etc.), doctor-patient communication, and mental health.

Conclusions: After more than 30 years of research and experiments, it is feasible and effective for using children and adolescents as standardized patients. In future education and evaluation of the health setting, more children and adolescents need to actively participate in and kindly hear their voices.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: None.