Amman:The Jordanian Nursing Council (JNC) has launched its standardized patient program for the first time in an Arab Board clinical examination. This initiative marks a significant expansion in the use of simulation-based assessments for healthcare professionals.
According to Jordan News Agency, the program was implemented during the final practical examination for the Arab Board of Health Specializations' Family Medicine specialty, held at the council's headquarters. This innovative approach involves candidates participating in simulated clinical encounters with trained individuals portraying specific medical cases. The candidates are then evaluated on their application of knowledge, clinical skills, and communication in scenarios designed to mirror actual practice.
JNC Secretary-General Hani Nawafleh emphasized that the program is a significant step in enhancing the council's clinical assessment capabilities and increasing the use of its simulation infrastructure in professional and specialty examinations. The standardized patients are trained to consistently present predefined clinical cases and respond realistically, ensuring that all examinees face similar scenarios and are assessed against uniform criteria.
Participants in the program received intensive training to accurately replicate clinical scenarios, adhering to international practices in human simulation and standardized patient methodology. The training was based on standards set by the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), focusing on mastering individual scenarios, standardizing symptom presentation, and maintaining realistic and repeatable performances during examinations.
Nawafleh noted that the examination represents a new phase in utilizing the JNC's Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, inaugurated in 2022 by HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein. The center was established to support the training and educational needs of healthcare professionals both locally and internationally. Its application in an Arab medical specialty examination expands its role in clinical and professional assessment.
Furthermore, Nawafleh explained that simulation-based assessment goes beyond examinations, contributing to enhanced healthcare quality and patient safety by determining if practitioners can effectively translate theoretical knowledge into clinical performance in a controlled environment. Cooperation with the Arab Board of Health Specializations also facilitates the exchange of expertise and opens new opportunities to utilize the council's examination and simulation capabilities at the Arab level.
The JNC is working towards developing an integrated competency-based assessment system that combines examination management, clinical simulation, standardized patients, and practical evaluation. The goal is to transition from solely measuring theoretical knowledge to evaluating how effectively healthcare professionals can apply their knowledge and skills in clinical settings.