Nita Skillman, director of Elon’s Interprofessional Simulation Center, represented Elon University at the 2025 Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Conference in Montreal, Canada in June.
Nita Skillman, director of the Interprofessional Simulation Center in Elon’s School of Health Sciences, recently attended the 2025 Annual Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Conference held in Montreal, Canada. Representing Elon University, Skillman delivered a dynamic snapshot presentation titled “Lights, Camera, Practice: Crafting Engaging Training Videos for SPs,” a project developed in collaboration with Bethany Fearnow, simulation coordinator.
The session, one of the conference’s “Snapshot” formats designed for concise, high-impact presentations, introduced a creative approach to training standardized patients (SPs) through well-produced instructional videos. The presentation emphasized how strategic use of video content can enhance clarity, performance and confidence among SPs—individuals who portray patients in simulated clinical scenarios for student learning.
“SPs are essential to the learning process,” said Skillman. “By crafting training videos that demonstrate effective communication, emotional expression, and the nuances of portraying various medical conditions, we’re equipping SPs with the tools to deliver more realistic and consistent performances.”
The presentation also encouraged dialogue among attendees on best practices for video production, including scripting, filming, editing and incorporating feedback from both SPs and learners. Skillman and Fearnow shared lessons learned through the development process and emphasized the need for continuous improvement and collaboration in SP education.
“This kind of innovation doesn’t just benefit SPs,” Fearnow noted. “It directly enhances the student experience—offering them more authentic interactions, which better prepares them for real-world clinical situations.”
The work presented aligns closely with the mission of Elon’s Interprofessional Simulation Center, which plays a central role in preparing students from the Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Nursing programs. Through immersive, hands-on simulation experiences, students apply their classroom knowledge in realistic clinical settings, fostering confidence, collaboration and clinical judgment.
Medical simulation bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping students learn from mistakes in a safe environment while developing the skills they need to deliver high-quality patient care.
“Simulation brings the textbook to life—and with innovative tools like SP training videos, we’re making that experience even richer,” said Skillman.