Kip Clark describes himself as being passionate about better and more meaningful communication. This belief guides his work as a standardized patient with medical students and as a podcast host and producer. Clark came to working as a standardized patient work from a background in improv comedy. He is a graduate of Kenyon College with […]


The post A Standardized Patient’s Perspective of Health Communication (HLOL #227) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Kip Clark describes himself as being passionate about better and more meaningful communication. This belief guides his work as a standardized patient with medical students and as a podcast host and producer. Clark came to working as a standardized patient work from a background in improv comedy. He is a graduate of Kenyon College with a degree in English Literature.


In this podcast, Kip Clark and Helen Osborne discuss:

A “standardized patient” can be an actor who is trained to portray characteristics of a specific patient and examined by a medical student.
The goal of this work is to help medical students improve their communication skills in patient-provider interactions.
Tips and strategies about health communication that can apply in all settings. These include listening, being flexible, and authenticity.

More ways to learn:


A quick search of “Standardized Patient” can lead to many interesting links including about programs, training, and job opportunities. I found this video from the University of Mississippi Medical Center especially helpful, What is a Standardized Patient?


Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. Especially relevant to this podcast is the chapter, “You: Compassion, Empathy, and Humanity.”


Read a transcript of this podcast.


The post A Standardized Patient’s Perspective of Health Communication (HLOL #227) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.