Meet Dakota Kingston, one of our incredible Simulated Patients who brings clinical education to life with empathy, enthusiasm, and a touch of theatrical flair.
Dakota first got involved with CSDS while studying Paramedic Science, where her passion for dramatics and helping others really grew. Through her studies, she discovered just how important education is to her, and being able to contribute to that is something she truly values.
Currently, Dakota works with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher, while working towards her goal of getting on the road as a paramedic.
How did you first hear about the Simulated Patient opportunity at CSDS, and what motivated you to sign up?
I first heard about the opportunity when my university reached out to a group of us and asked if we’d be interested in being patients. I’ve always had a bit of a flair for dramatics and can’t resist a little acting and moulage. I’ve worked with the Army, Police Academy and State Emergency Service (SES) as a Simulated Patient and couldn’t turn the opportunity down! During COVID, I even spent time doing moulage out of boredom, so when this came up, it just felt like the perfect fit.
Has being a Simulated Patient influenced your professional or personal life?
Absolutely! It’s given me the chance to learn from others, not only how they manage situations clinically, but also how they provide emotional support and use different techniques with patients. I take those lessons and add them to my own “toolkit” as a developing clinician. Working alongside people from so many different backgrounds has also been incredibly eye-opening and rewarding within my professional and personal life.
In your view, how do Simulated Patients contribute to healthcare training?
I think Simulated Patients transform learning from just working with mannequins into a real, human interaction. Because I can respond the way a patient truly would, it helps clinicians build stronger emotional connections, communication skills, and situational awareness, things that can be hard to develop with inanimate mannequins and are so incredibly important when providing empathetic care.
Being a Simulated Patient puts me in the shoes of the patient and reminds me of how I would want a loved one of mine to be treated.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a Simulated Patient but isn’t sure yet?
I would absolutely recommend it! For healthcare students, it’s invaluable for your own learning and skill development. And for those without any healthcare experience, it’s an incredible way to see what emergencies can be like, which can take away some of the fear of the unknown. Plus, you end up learning bits of first aid along the way, which I always recommend!
What does a typical session look like for you?
A typical session can mean five car accidents, three lawnmowers over the foot, a couple horse trampling’s and anywhere from one baby to a small daycare. With so many courses, I get to work with all kinds of scenarios and teams, and whether I’m being extricated out of a car or giving birth in a tub, it’s never boring!
Do you have a favourite memory or scenario from your time as a Simulated Patient?
My favourite moments are always when I’ve been able to build rapport with the clinicians and feel comfortable giving feedback from the patient’s perspective and then seeing that feedback genuinely received and valued. I may not be a facilitator or educator, but as a Simulated Patient, I believe education is universal and perspectives like mine are just as important.
Dakota’s story is a powerful reminder that learning in healthcare goes far beyond textbooks and lectures. At CSDS, our Simulated Patients help bridge the gap between theory and practice by bringing clinical education to life, one scenario at a time.
A big thank you to Dakota for sharing her journey, and for the empathy, energy, and realism she brings to every session.
Interested in becoming a Simulated Patient? We’d love to hear from you. Fill in the application form or email us at CSDS-Faculty@health.qld.gov.au to learn more.
