2nd International Conference · 2026

Conference Program

Three days of pre-conference workshops, plenary lectures, panel discussions, symposia, and hands-on workshops — advancing standardized patient methodology across Asia Pacific.

September 4–6, 2026

Davao City, Philippines

In-person

Abstract Booklet

Conference Abstract Booklet

Flip through the full collection of accepted abstracts for the 2nd AsiaSPEC International Conference. Click a page corner to turn, or open fullscreen for the best reading experience.

Open Fullscreen Meet the Speakers →

Schedule at a Glance

All times local to Davao City (PHT). Program subject to change.

Day 1 September 4, 2026 · Pre-Conference Workshops Friday

13:30–17:30

Workshop 1

Designing Effective SP Cases

Christina Liew, Kao

Workshop 2

Teaching SPs to Give Feedback

Nicola Ngiam, Keiko Abe

Workshop 3

Moulage Training

Giselle Nobleza, Roziyana Bte Abdul Manan

Day 2 September 5, 2026 · Main Conference Saturday

09:00–09:30
Opening Ceremony

09:30–10:30

Plenary Lecture

Training Compassionate Clinicians in the Age of Intelligent Systems

Nina Powell

10:30–10:45

Coffee / Tea Break

10:45–11:45

Panel Discussion: Teaching Empathy through SP Methodology

Nina Powell, Nicola Ngiam, Yukihiro Ikeda

11:45–12:30

Panel Discussion: SP Experiences across Asia

SPs from the Philippines, Japan, and across the region

12:30–13:30

Lunch Break

13:30–14:45

Symposium 1

Role of SPs in Assessment

Mahalakshmi

Symposium 2

Recruitment and Retention

Nicola Ngiam

Symposium 3

SP Certification

Yoshihiro Tochino, Keiko Abe, Yukihiro Ikeda

14:45–16:00

Poster Presentation / Judging

16:00–16:15

Tea Break

16:15–17:30

Workshop 1

Hybrid Simulation

Giselle Nobleza, Yobie

Workshop 2

Moulage Challenge

Dinker Pai, Neila

Workshop 3

Digital Interventions in SP Methodology

Kao

18:00
Conference Dinner

Day 3 September 6, 2026 · Closing Day Sunday

09:00–10:15

Workshop 4

Problems in the Room

Nicola Ngiam

Workshop 5

Introduction to Feedback

Keiko Abe, Yukihiro Ikeda

10:15–11:15

Symposium: Training SPs to Meet Your Needs

Nicola Ngiam, Yoshihiro Tochino, Mahalakshmi, Christina Liew

11:15–11:30

Coffee / Tea Break

11:30–12:15

Oral Presentations

12:15–13:00
The Future of SP Methodology in Asia
Closing Lecture, followed by Awarding & Closing Ceremony
Giselle Nobleza

Session Descriptions

Plenary Lecture

Panel Discussion

Symposium

Workshop

Pre-Conference Workshops

September 4 · 3 parallel tracks

Pre-Conference Workshop 1: Designing Effective Simulated Patient Cases — From Concept to Standardised Performance

Pre-Conf · Sep 4

Christina Liew, Sheng-Po Kao

Simulated patients are widely used to facilitate the development and assessment of communication, clinical reasoning, professionalism, and patient-centered care — yet the quality of SP-based learning depends heavily on the design of authentic, educationally sound, and reproducible cases.

This interactive workshop equips healthcare educators, clinicians, and simulation practitioners with practical skills to develop effective SP cases: aligning with learning objectives, constructing patient narratives, developing psychosocial and emotional dimensions, incorporating communication challenges, and preparing role portrayal guidance. Combining brief theory bursts with small-group activities, participants critically review sample cases, identify common pitfalls, and apply a structured framework to draft their own case — including a live demo on using AI as a case-writing partner.

Hover to view the full workshop agenda

Pre-Conference: Teaching SPs to Give Feedback

Pre-Conf · Sep 4

Nicola Ngiam, Keiko Abe

This workshop focuses on preparing simulated patients to deliver effective, learner-centred feedback. Participants explore frameworks for structuring SP feedback, balancing honesty with psychological safety, and maintaining consistency across encounters — equipping SP trainers to develop feedback skills that enhance reflection and professional growth in learners.

Pre-Conference: Moulage Training

Pre-Conf · Sep 4

Giselle Nobleza, Roziyana Bte Abdul Manan

A practical introduction to moulage — the art of simulating injuries, wounds, and clinical signs to enhance realism in simulation-based education. Participants learn core techniques and materials, and practise creating effective moulage effects that add authenticity and educational value to SP and manikin-based scenarios.

Plenary Lecture

Training Compassionate Clinicians in the Age of Intelligent Systems

Plenary

Nina Powell

Artificial intelligence is increasingly proposed as a replacement for human simulated patients in healthcare education, offering scalability, consistency, and immediate feedback. Yet its adoption raises important questions about what trainees are learning when they learn to care through interaction with artificial systems.

Drawing on an ethics of care perspective, this lecture examines what may be at stake in replacing human SPs with AI — exploring the responsiveness, context sensitivity, and judgment under uncertainty that human patients embody but AI systems may flatten into predictable interactions. It argues that AI simulated patients should be evaluated not solely on efficiency, but in light of the kinds of compassionate practitioners healthcare education seeks to cultivate.

Panel Discussions

2 sessions

Teaching Empathy through SP Methodology

Panel

Nina Powell, Nicola Ngiam, Yukihiro Ikeda

Empathy is a foundational healthcare competency, directly influencing patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes — yet traditional didactic approaches often fall short in fostering nuanced interpersonal skills. SP-based training enables learners to practice active listening, perspective-taking, and compassionate communication, with structured feedback reinforcing self-awareness.

This panel discusses persisting challenges — resource intensity, variability in SP performance, and the need for robust assessment tools — and provides a platform for sharing strategies to enhance this critical area of healthcare professional education.

SP Experiences across Asia

Panel

SPs from the Philippines, Japan & across the region

Ever wondered what the simulated patient portraying a role for the 15th time today is going through? Through shared narratives and critical dialogue, this panel of simulated patients highlights unique practices and innovative approaches from the different institutions and countries they work in.

The discussion deepens understanding of SP methodology not merely as a teaching tool, but as a collaborative educational process reliant on the contributions and well-being of all participants — offering practical insights into enhancing quality, inclusivity, and sustainability from the SPs' own perspective.

Symposia

4 sessions

Symposium 1: Role of SPs in Assessment

Symposium

Mahalakshmi

Full abstract to be confirmed — check back closer to the conference date.

Symposium 2: Recruitment and Retention

Symposium

Nicola Ngiam

Drawing on programmatic data and practitioner insights, this presentation explores key factors influencing SP recruitment — outreach channels, role clarity, inclusivity, and alignment of expectations — alongside retention drivers such as fair compensation, ongoing training, psychological support, and professional development.

Case examples demonstrate how targeted strategies, including community outreach, responsible scheduling, and recognition initiatives, can enhance SP satisfaction and commitment, offering actionable recommendations to strengthen the resilience and diversity of SP pools.

Symposium 3: SP Certification

Symposium

Yoshihiro Tochino, Keiko Abe, Yukihiro Ikeda

This symposium explores current international trends, challenges, and future directions in standardized patient certification, with a particular focus on Asia. As simulation-based education expands globally, quality assurance, consistency, and professional development in SP programs have become increasingly important.

Speakers introduce Japan's officially recognized OSCE certification system for SPs in medical interviews, and discuss similarities and differences in SP certification across countries and regions — aiming to foster future regional and global partnerships in simulation-based medical education.

Symposium 4: Training SPs to Meet Your Needs

Symposium

Nicola Ngiam, Yoshihiro Tochino, Mahalakshmi, Christina Liew

As simulation programs expand in scope and complexity, the need for efficient, targeted SP training has become increasingly important. This symposium explores practical strategies for preparing SPs to meet diverse educational and assessment needs while maintaining authenticity, consistency, and psychological safety.

Topics include competency-based training frameworks, scenario-specific coaching, and blended learning modalities combining brief in-person workshops with digital resources — with emphasis on aligning SP preparation with learning objectives, assessment standards, and institutional priorities.

Workshops

5 sessions

Workshop 1: Hybrid Simulation

Workshop

Giselle Nobleza, Yobie

This workshop demonstrates the intentional combination of at least two simulation modalities — standardized patients with task trainers or high-fidelity manikins — allowing learners to practice technical and non-technical skills simultaneously within one scenario.

Facilitators show how combining human interaction with technical components creates authentic clinical scenarios where learners perform procedures while maintaining patient-centered communication. Practical constraints — physical space, equipment availability, and SP training requirements — will also be examined.

Workshop 2: Moulage Challenge

Workshop

Dinker Pai, Neila

An exciting team competition to determine the best moulage techniques. Participants work in teams to create moulages within a given time frame, using provided materials, with one volunteer team member as the model. Moulage effects are judged on creativity, realism, and educational value for the given scenario — may the best moulage win!

Workshop 3: Digital Interventions in SP Methodology

Workshop

Sheng-Po Kao

This workshop explores how digital tools and technology-enhanced approaches can strengthen SP methodology — from AI-supported case design and virtual SP encounters to digital feedback and assessment platforms. Participants examine practical applications, benefits, and limitations of integrating digital interventions into SP programs, with discussion of how technology can complement rather than replace the human element at the heart of SP practice.

Workshop 4: Problems in the Room

Workshop

Nicola Ngiam

Common problems observed during SP-based assessments — inconsistencies in SP portrayal, variability in examiner scoring, unintended cueing, learner performance anxiety — can raise concerns about fairness, standardization, and accurate measurement of clinical competence.

This workshop offers empathic dialogue on challenges we all face running SP-based encounters. With a good dose of humour, participants gain insights essential to keeping simulated patient encounters a robust and credible component of medical education and assessment.

Workshop 5: Introduction to Feedback

Workshop

Keiko Abe, Yukihiro Ikeda

Effective feedback is critical in simulation-based learning with SPs, yet educational impact largely depends on how feedback is structured and delivered. This workshop introduces fundamental concepts and practical approaches that enhance learners' reflection, self-awareness, and professional growth — including specificity, timeliness, and learner-centeredness.

Participants examine feedback models such as the feedback sandwich, then engage in small-group discussion with brief SP-based role-plays followed by structured feedback practice — developing skills in facilitating reflective discussions and balancing positive and constructive comments.

Closing Lecture

The Future of SP Methodology in Asia

Plenary

Giselle Nobleza

Standardized Patient methodology has shifted from a specialized educational innovation to an essential component of health professions education across Asia. Building on its early use in high-stakes OSCEs, institutions now integrate SPs into longitudinal curricula spanning clinical investigation, communication, professionalism, and inter-professional education.

This closing lecture maps the current status of SP methodology in Asia and explores AsiaSPEC as an organization grounded in promoting SP methodology while fostering connection across cultures. It advances a forward-looking, regionally collaborative agenda — embracing technology-enhanced SP roles, case design, and assessment innovation — while preserving the human connection at the heart of SP practice in an increasingly digital age.

Ready to join us in Davao?

Registration for the 2nd AsiaSPEC International Conference is now open.