This article describes the development and implementation of a new sta
ndardized patient program in a required geriatrics clinical clerkship
for fourth-year medical students. A student survey was also conducted
to provide evaluations of the program and to determine the frequency w
ith which students' clinical skills are directly evaluated by faculty.
Thirty-six percent reported never having been observed while obtainin
g a history and 24% having been observed only once; 26% had never been
observed while completing a physical examination and 39% had been obs
erved only once. The implementation of a standardized patient program
provided students with direct feedback on their clinical skills and wa
s rated positively, (good, very good, or outstanding) by 76% of the st
udents.