Students and Health Care Professionals can practice and enhance clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe environment. Standardized Patient (SP) portray an actual patient. They are able to simulate the same symptoms and in some cases, the same physical findings as those found in a real patient. Standardized Patients are carefully trained to provide feedback to students. The feedback which the standardized patient provides is unique since in many cases, it may be the only source of information which the student would receive from a patient regarding communication or clinical skills. Simulation ensures safety. Standardized patient encounters are a learner-centered rather than a patient-centered educational experience. Patient care in a clinical setting is not compromised. Clinical errors can be allowed to progress in order to teach the trainee the implications of and how to correct the errors. Encounters facilitate learner transition to care of real patients. Learners are given the opportunity to view their videotaped sessions. The performance of a student can be evaluated on a first-hand basis by the student, SP and faculty. Curricumlum Enhancement. Standardized Patient encounters allow faculty to adjust the curriculum based on the result of the student encounters. Professional Development and Research. Standardized Patient encounters can be utilized for faculty or professional development and research.