Preparation: developing scenarios and training for role portrayal

This chapter outlines two important elements for working within SP methodology. Both are associated principally with the preparation phase – developing scenarios and training SPs for role portrayal. Underpinning the chapter is the notion that SPs are proxies for real patients and, as such, finding ways to connect real with simulated patients is part of SP methodology. We argue that those who write SP roles (ourselves included) are often distanced, as a consequence of our professionalization from the experiences of real patients. Real patients can contribute to scenario development. We propose a four-stage model to training SPs for role portrayal. This approach centralizes the person (patient) during the training ensuring that the character of the person to be portrayed remains prominent, allowing the group of SPs to develop a shared and coherent understanding of the SP role, the scenario and the overall activity.