Does simulation-based training increase athletic training students clinical confidence and competence of performing a cardiovascular screening

Abstract

The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is higher than previously estimated. The need for increased screening to detect cardiac diseases in preparticipation physical examinations (PPE) has become a focus in athletic training. The use of simulation-based training in healthcare professionals' education has increased clinical confidence and competence, but research is limited.To examine if a simulation-based educational intervention can increase athletic training students' self-reported confidence and clinical competence in conducting a cardiovascular screening.Pretest-posttest design.25 first-year athletic training students in a professional master's program participated. The intervention consisted of a standardized cardiovascular curriculum consisting of a 45-minute, interactive instructor-led session and a 45-minute audio session which included repetitions of heart murmurs. Learner self-reported confidence scale, multiple-choice knowledge exam, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of cardiovascular assessment skills and auditory recognition of heart murmurs were recorded.Self-reported confidence increased significantly from 4.4±2.1 to 9.2±3.0 post-intervention (F=78.7, p<0.001) with a moderately high effect size (n2=0.789). Knowledge exam scores increased significantly from 11.0±2.5 to 13.6±4.0 post-intervention (F=5.3, p=0.031) with a low effect size (n2=0.191). The history-taking assessment of the OSCE increased significantly from 2.6±1.6 to 5.7±1.7 post-intervention (F=70.1, p<0.001) with a moderately high effect size (n2=0.751). The clinical skills assessment of the OSCE increased significantly from 4.1±2.8 to 15.6±1.6 post-intervention (F=415.4, p<0.001) with a high effect size (n2=0.952).Simulation-based training is an effective tool for increasing athletic training students' self-reported confidence and competence in conducting a cardiovascular screening.