TYLER, Texas — The first UT Tyler School of Medicine class is in their second semester, and they’re already on a fast track to becoming one of the best in the medical field.
Inside of the UT Health North Campus in Tyler, medical students are interacting in real-world scenarios featuring equipment and people simulating as patients.
Medical student Macy Reed gets to interact with simulated patients in two courses, communication formation and clinical skills.
"It’s the ‘how to act like a doctor’ kind of course," UT Tyler School of Medicine Simulated Patient Program Director Karen Lewis said.
Lewis said when medical students participate in these courses they learn different elements of a physical exam. Ultimately, they’ll learn how to examine a patient from head to toe.
"We want them to feel confident in their skills and be able to interact with them well and professionally," Lewis said.
Reed said these simulations are vital for communication and interviewing skills.
"It's nice to have real people that respond differently and look differently. A unique aspect of our standardized patients is that they’re recruited from our community," Reed said. "The simulated patients are people that are so passionate about our learning experience that they want to be part of the school."
Rhonda Betts has been a simulated patient since the medical school started.
"I really enjoy watching as they progress and choose their specialty and see where they go," Betts said.
Eventually, the medical students will build upon what they’ve already learned and will soon be able to give a diagnosis in an end-program test while they see multiple patients.
Being a simulated patient is a part-time job, if you are interested in participating in the program, visit the application here.