Simulated patient methodology applied in health services research: a scoping review
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The simulated patient (SP) methodology is a valuable tool in health services research, allowing for the assessment of healthcare providers’ (HCPs) real-world behavior and performance through covert interactions. Although several evidence syntheses have examined its application in pharmaceutical settings, there is a gap in synthesizing recent research findings in other healthcare disciplines. Therefore, we aimed to map the application of the SP method in non-pharmaceutical healthcare settings. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review, following the updated JBI (formerly Joanna Briggs Institute) guidance for scoping reviews. In October 2023, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase (Elsevier) databases. We focused on peer-reviewed journal reports of primary studies of any design, published from May 2004 onwards, in English or German, that covertly utilized SPs in non-pharmaceutical healthcare settings. Two reviewers independently screened records and reports. Data extraction was conducted by one reviewer and validated by another one. We presented findings in table and diagram formats, accompanied by a narrative summary. RESULTS: Our search identified 1,796 records, with 163 reports meeting the eligibility criteria. Between 2004 and 2023, the use of SP methodology in non-pharmaceutical healthcare settings increased, with nearly twice as many reports published between 2014 and 2023 compared to the previous decade. The median number of SP-HCP contacts was 202.5, with a…
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