Teaching Note—The Dynamic Duo: Use of Standardized Clients Across the Social Work Practice and Field Curricula

This reflection from one department of social work showcases the use of simulation as an integrated tool of practice-based education and assessment for social work education within generalist and specialized practice classes. We show several ways we are using simulation as both a learning and assessment tool for social work practice skills. This includes in-class simulations using paid standardized patient as clients, the use of objective standard clinical examination as an assessment tool in the standardized patient suite within the university, the use of field instructors as feedback mechanisms for standardized patient experiences, and translating and linking student skills in the classroom to real-world field experiences. Challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for future exploration are discussed.