Finding the right connections: peer support within a community-based mental health service

Introduction: The use of simulated patients is well established in medicine and nursing. There is little research evaluating the use of simulated patients in occupational therapy education and none which focuses on mental health. This study sought to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of using simulated patients in a mental health occupational therapy course. The pilot also sought to address the challenge of providing simulation experience to a large number of students in a cost and time effective manner. Method: Occupational therapy students participated in a simulation which involved an initial interview assessment with an actor portraying a person with a mental health diagnosis. The students worked in small groups for the simulation, rotating into the therapist role using a carousel model. Students completed a survey about their experience of the simulation. Results: The students rated the simulation experience highly in terms of authenticity and learning outcomes. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses produced five themes: authentic experience, developing skills, feedback and reflection, we should do more of this, and developing the experience further. Conclusion: The pilot was effective in allowing a large number of students to engage directly with the simulated patient without negatively impacting on the experience.