Actor and simulated patient Chris Duncan with University of Adelaide graduate Dr Danielle Boniface during a Simulated Patient Program session.
The University of Adelaide and State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA) are entering into a new partnership that will boost development opportunities for talented artists.
The University of Adelaide is one of the largest employers of performing artists in the state through Adelaide Health Simulation (AHS)'s Simulated Patient Program.
More than 80 trained and non-trained actors perform the roles of patients at AHS. They simulate various in and out of hospital situations so that undergraduate medical, nursing and allied health students, and postgraduate health professionals, can rehearse the skills needed in clinical practice
The Performer Professional Development Program will allow simulated patients (SP), who perform more than 11,000 hours of simulation each year, access professional development opportunities within STCSA.
"We are proud of the work we have achieved with our SP cohort; AHS has a strong global reputation for delivering the highest quality experiential learning and assessment in a simulated environment, in no small part because of the contributions of our SPs," said Associate Professor Adam Montagu, Director, Adelaide Health Simulation, University of Adelaide.
"We are now formally partnering with the performing arts industry, to facilitate professional development opportunities for our valued colleagues.
"As the majority of our SPs work in a casual capacity, there are limited opportunities for professional development through the traditional university structure.
"STCSA has a strong track record of partnering with people in the health industry to deliver experiences and benefits to South Australians, and we would like to extend our role in the community to support emerging performers to achieve their goals, whilst providing AHS with the benefits of their skills and talents."
The AHS, part of the Adelaide BioMed City precinct on North Terrace, was opened in 2017 and features 22 high-fidelity hospital suites that can replicate many different clinical environments.
"When we work with SPs, learning outcomes achievable by students broaden significantly," said Associate Professor Montagu.
"Having a real human being in the room portraying the patient and their story, adds to the emotional and clinical fidelity in a way that no other simulation modality can." Associate Professor Adam Montagu, Director, Adelaide Health Simulation, University of Adelaide.
STCSA Artistic Director Mitchell Butel said he was thrilled by the opportunities created by the professional development program.
"The new partnership between the State Theatre Company South Australia and the University of Adelaide is based on our shared interest in the career sustainability and wellbeing of performers in Adelaide," said Mr Butel.
"Performers use their skills in so many ways in our community that people wouldn't realise, and at AHS that means helping train the medical professionals that keep our community safe and healthy.
"We're so glad to be partnering together to enable performers here to build and maintain their skills and find ways to intersect with our theatre company and the professional sector."
Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels said the SP program could only lead to better practice in health, while also providing training and experience to the actors.
"This is a great new and innovative partnership between the State Theatre Company SA and Adelaide Health Simulation to support local actors who are performing realistic portrayals of patients," said Ms Michaels.
"This field of science has long had great potential for a mutually beneficial partnership across arts and health sectors."
AHS SP Manager and actor Lotte Crawford said the simulated learning environment was beneficial for both students and actors alike.
"Our students have access to some of the best actors in our state, as well as emerging talents," said Ms Crawford.
"Some of our actors have worked with the most prestigious theatre companies and film productions in the country.
"I think what would surprise those students is that some of the actors' most treasured roles will be the ones they get to perform in simulations.
"Being able to advocate for a patient or a vulnerable person through their craft is an incredibly rewarding experience."
Nicholas Laity, who is in the sixth year of his medical degree at the University of Adelaide said the SPs give a different perspective than a tutor.
"Receiving feedback about how you handled something with sensitivity is just as important as whatever you say medically in the simulation setting," he said.
The AHS is the only facility in Australia to hold accreditation in teaching and education by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
