Welcome to the Standardized Performance Assessment Laboratory at Des Moines University (SPAL)

The following will explain a typical SPAL experience. This lab is designed to help students make the transition from theory to application.

1. Arrival

Students arrive at the SPAL Atrium area 15 minutes prior to scheduled exam time and cannot bring any personal references or resources to use during the practical, unless permitted by the course coordinator. A pen and pencil and relevant diagnostic tools are required.

Students wear a white lab coat and professional attire (men should wear a tie), DMU photo I.D. (required for admission) and closed toe shoes. No cell phones or electronics are allowed in the patient rooms.

Students are given instructions for the format of the exam for that particular day.

2. Sign in

Written instructions are provided prior to signing in.

3. Exam Room Assignments

A Student Exam Folder is provided to each student when exam rooms are assigned, with appropriate patient information included.

4. Outside the Exam Room

Students are given one minute outside of the patient's room to carefully review and take notes on the presenting situation.

5. Patient Encounter

After the minute outside of the patient room, students are instructed on when to enter the exam room. Students greet their patient and use the patient name given on the presenting situation.

Patient encounter may include:

• Interview/History Taking
• Physical Examination
• Patient Education

Students are expected to know multiple Physical Exam Skills, depending on course content. Students have been taught necessary skills for history and physicals prior to the practicals.

6. Post Encounter Write-up

SPAL staff will escort students to a post encounter room where they may complete either a computer exam and/or documentation of encounter.

7. Hand in folder to SPAL Staff/Exit Building

Students are not to discuss or transmit information about their case. All SPAL activities are covered under the DMU Academic Honor Code Policy.

For more information on SPAL, please contact Julie Askren, SPAL director, at 515.271.1556 or Julie.Askren@dmu.edu