Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not an actor - can I still participate?
Yes! While we do have many individuals who come from the theater department or from a theater background, this is not a requirement. We currently employ teachers, nurses, ministers, university employees, and homemakers, among others. Most of all, we are looking for people who are interested in contributing to medical education in an enjoyable way.
Will I have to be examined by medical students?
The most common aspects of the physical examination portion of the encounter include listening to the heart and lungs and feeling the abdomen. Other maneuvers include checking reflexes, testing sensation in the limbs, and checking range of motion in the joints. Patients usually wear their undergarments along with an examination poncho. Drapes are available for more coverage.
Will I have a pelvic/rectal/breast exam?
At this time, we do include a case that involved a breast exam, however participation in this case is voluntary. We do not expect our SPs to participate in a pelvic or rectal exam. If the case does call for this, we will instruct you on the use of "findings cards" which allow the results to be shared without having to go through the exam. More information will be shared about this during the training of these cases.
How will I know if I'm supposed to work in an exam?
You will be contacted prior to each and every exam for which you are interested, available, and for which there is a role for you. Do not assume you are working unless you have been contacted and you have trained for that role.
I have friends who might be interested - how do I get them involved?
Please have them contact the PBA office. They will need an interview, an application, and an orientation prior to working with us.
Who's in the PBA program?
Dr. George Bergus is the program director. He is responsible for much of the case writing, the checklists, and role-playing with SPs who have trained and prepared for a role. He also works with clerkship directors to ensure that the PBAs meet their expectations within the clerkship curricula.
Ellen Franklin is the program coordinator. She is responsible for SP recruitment and hiring, SP training, enhancement of the training materials, scheduling exams, and preparing SPs for their role as patient and as an assessor.
Barb Brown is the program support person. She is responsible for most business aspects in the program, including the SP database, the PBA database, payroll, scoring of the exams and preparation of all training and exam materials.