Athletic Training Educators' Perceptions of Using Standardized Patients in Teaching

Abstract

ContextStandardized patients (SPs) are commonly used in health care education to teach and evaluate the skills of students. Although this has been a common practice among other health care programs, it is not currently a widespread practice among athletic training programs. Currently, limited information exists about the use of SPs as a teaching tool in athletic training education.ObjectiveTo explore athletic training educators' perceptions of using SPs as a mechanism of teaching and learning for students enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training program.DesignConsensual qualitative research study.SettingIndividual teleconference interviews.Patients or Other ParticipantsFifteen athletic training educators (11 women, 4 men) that teach in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited professional athletic training program and use SPs as a teaching method.Main Outcome Measure(s)We conducted 1 individual interview with each participant. After transcription, the data were analyzed and coded into common themes and categories. Triangulation of the data occurred via the use of multiple researchers and member checking to confirm the accuracy of the data.ResultsFour themes related to athletic training educators' perceptions of SPs as a teaching method emerged from data analysis: (1) rationale, (2) benefits, (3) challenges, and (4) misconceptions. Regardless of the rationales and benefits identified, there is also an acknowledged need to inform educators about best practices for inclusion of SPs.ConclusionsThese findings highlighted the value of SPs as a teaching method. In addition, it also identified many challenges faced by athletic training educators to be able to implement such a practice. The need for additional and consensus education of best practices of SPs as a teaching method was also identified.