Exploring the Impact of Simulated Patient on Academic Performance in Physical Therapy Training: Preliminary Results

Abstract

The use of simulated patient (SP) as a methodological tool for the acquisition of skills at undergraduate level constitutes an innovative training process for students. An observational longitudinal study was conducted in order to verify if the simulated patient training improves the academic performance of physiotherapy students in a Respiratory Therapy course. To achieve this goal the final grades for the course, as well as the grades for the final practical exam were compared between the 2018 cohort receiving conventional training (N = 57) and the 2019 cohort receiving the SP in addition to conventional training (N = 64). Moreover, the 2019 cohort’s midterm grades were compared with their final exam grades in order to explore the effects of the SP methodology in academic performance over time. The results showed statistically significant differences in the final course grades and the final practical exam grades between the 2018 (conventional training) and the 2019 (conventional + SP training) cohorts (p < .01). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in the 2019 cohort’s grades over time when comparing their midterm and final exam grades (p < .05). The better performance of the cohort studying under the SP methodology, as well as the progressive improvement of their grades throughout the semester could be explained by the benefits of simulation as a training technique. Physical Therapy educators should consider using simulation methodologies to improve their students’ academic performance and readiness to provide appropriate care in real clinical environments.KeywordsSimulated patientPhysical therapyRole-playTraining