Etym. incognito (adj./adv.) 1640s as both adjective (“disguised under an assumed name and character”) and adverb (“unknown, with concealed identity”), from Italian incognito “unknown,” especially in connection with traveling, from Latin incognitus “unknown, not investigated.”
Etym. standard “authoritative or recognized exemplar of quality or correctness” (late 15c.). Meaning “rule, principal or means of judgment” is from 1560s. That of “definite level of attainment” is attested from 1711 (as in standard of living, 1903).
Etym. patient (n.) “suffering or sick person under medical treatment,” late 14c.
Definition
- A person who plays a role as a patient in real health care situations, while the health care workers in those situations are unaware of the fact that the person is not a real patient (Rethans et al., 2007).
See also: UNANNOUNCED STANDARDIZED PATIENTS, STEALTH PATIENTS, SECRET SHOPPER