Simulation-based Learning Experiences Research Articles

Increased Perceived Confidence in Professional Role Skills among Undergraduate Dietetic Students Following Simulation-Based Learning Experiences

Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) are effective for teaching healthcare students clinical and communication skills. The current study assessed self-perceived clinical and communication confidence among dietetics students completing a series of four SBLEs (3 group, 1 individual) across nine months. Dietetics students were recruited in February 2023 prior to their first SBLE. Simultaneously through the academic year, students completed clinical and communication courses. Students were invited to complete an online, anonymous self-reported survey regarding confidence with nutrition care and communication prior to their first SBLE (Time 1), prior to their third SBLE (Time 2), and following their final SBLE (Time 3). The survey measured healthcare work experience and self-perceived confidence. Student confidence increased among 30 of the 38 indicators (p < 0.05). At Time 2 (following two group SBLEs), those with healthcare experience had higher confidence among 12 of the 39 items (p < 0.05). At Time 3 (following four simulation experiences) those with healthcare experience had higher confidence among just four of the 39 total items (p < 0.05). Cohort increases in confidence suggest that SBLEs, along with dietetics coursework, were critical in increasing confidence and students’ perceived ability to carry-out entry-level tasks of a dietitian. While student confidence increased across the cohort, SBLEs were particularly beneficial in leveling confidence between those with prior clinical experience and those without.

Intrinsic Factors and Psychological Safety Among Nursing Students During Simulation-Based Learning-A Correlational Design.

Well-designed simulation-based learning (SBL) experiences enhance students' self-confidence, self-efficacy, clinical judgment, and psychomotor skill development. An emerging concept in SBL research is psychological safety. There is currently no research on factors influencing psychological safety specifically related to the SBL environment, nor is there any literature found to determine whether intrinsic student characteristic, such as self-compassion and resilience, contributes to SBL learning outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between nursing students' intrinsic characteristics (self-compassion, resilience, and anxiety sensitivity) and their psychological safety. Bivariate correlation was used to examine associations among sociodemographic variables and outcome variables. Multiple regression was used to determine the predictive nature of the sociodemographic variables. Assumptions for variables in multiple regression models were tested (normal distribution, heteroscedasticity, multicollinearity). All data were analyzed in SPSS, Version 28. The P value of significance was set at 0.05 for all analyses. Most of the 118 participants were non-Hispanic (89%), White (65%), and females (95%). Results of the demographic bivariate analysis revealed no significant differences among this diverse group or semester in the curriculum for psychological safety. The multiple regression found self-compassion (β = 29, P = 0.004), anxiety sensitivity (β = -0.16, P = 0.049), and resilience (β = 0.26, P = 0.004) predict psychological safety. The importance of creating a psychologically safe learning environment has been recognized as essential to best practices. Our findings suggest that an understanding of student characteristics that impact their perception of psychological safety will allow educators to develop strategies to better support learners in the simulation environment.

Designing Interprofessional Online Learning Experiences for Future Healthcare Professionals

The design case details the collaborative work of a design team—three faculty members, one instructional designer, and one educational resource specialist—to create a simulation-based interprofessional education (IPE) experience for future healthcare professionals. Before the COVID-19 pandemic that caused the shutdown of campuses across the country/world, this simulation-based learning experience was always offered in a face-to-face format. Thus, this case highlights the challenges and opportunities of designing this online learning experience within a limited period of time. Further, this case documents what theories or evidence-based practices were instrumental in designing this learning experience, along with the design team’s narrative regarding key design decisions and moves. It also includes a design narrative focusing on the description of the design process, such as key design judgments, decisions, and concrete examples of the design process outcome. Lastly, the design case highlights unique design features: Scalability of instruction through accessibility and usability, authenticity, interprofessional collaboration, and reflection. The design was guided by the TEACH (Team Education Advancing Collaboration in Health) core curriculum in the state of Indiana that foregrounds interprofessional practice competencies and teamwork in preparing future healthcare professionals.

Ethics: Crisis Standards of Care Simulation.

Ethical dilemmas exist with decision-making regarding resource allocations, such as critical care, ventilators and other critical equipment, and pharmaceuticals during pandemics. Triage artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms based on prognostication tools exist to guide these decisions; however, implicit bias may affect the decision-making process leading to deviation from the algorithm recommendations. Conflict within the ethical domain may be affected as well. A knowledge gap was identified within the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) curriculum regarding ethics in crisis standards of care (CSC) medical decision-making. Incorporating a CSC simulation looked to address this knowledge gap. A simulation-based learning (SBL) experience was designed as a critical access setting where CSC are in place and three diverse, medically complex patients in need of critical care present to the hospital where one critical care bed remains open. Given the complexity of the simulation scenario, a table-top pilot test was selected. Three AG-ACNP fourth-quarter students in their critical care rotation volunteered for the pilot test. Students were provided with the topic, "ethics crisis standards of care" and the article, "A catalogue of tools and variables from crisis and routine care to support decision-making during pandemics" by M. Cardona et al. (2021), to read in advance. Students were provided with the triage AI algorithm (M. Cardona et al., 2021) utilizing prognostication tools to prioritize which patient requires the critical care bed. The expectation was that implicit bias would enter the decision-making process, causing deviation from the triage AI algorithm and moral distress. The debriefing session revealed that students deviated from the triage AI algorithm, experienced implicit bias, moral distress, and utilized clinical judgment and experience to care for all three patients. The pilot test results support that a CSC SBL experience addresses a critical knowledge gap in AG-ACNP education and an SBL experience incorporating ethical decision-making curriculum with standardized patients should be developed and trialed as the next step.

Exploring the Addition of Simulation-Based Learning Experiences to Prepare Student Physical Therapist Assistants for Inpatient Clinical Experience

Background and Purpose: In today's fast-paced health care environment, simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) are viewed as an optimal approach to provide health professions students an opportunity for safe and deliberate practice in clinical scenarios with an element of risk. Evidence supporting the benefits of SBLEs in preparation for doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students' initial inpatient clinical experience (CE) has recently become available; however, no literature exists describing the use and effect of simulation in training preprofessional physical therapist assistants (PTAs) for higher acuity clinical environments. The authors aimed to describe the perceived value of SBLEs in preparing PTA students for the first inpatient CE, through multiple perspectives: student perception of readiness for the environment, clinical instructor (CI) perception of student preparation, and student performance ratings within the clinical practicum. Case Description: Effect of a newly implemented series of SBLEs was explored with a single cohort of PTA students (n = 14) and their associated CIs (n = 8) at one institution. Quantitative and qualitative data were captured through student and CI surveys, focus groups, and the Physical Therapist Assistant Manual for Assessment of Clinical Skills (PTAMACS). Outcomes: Student mean scores on a modified Acute Care Confidence Survey were 88.2%, indicating high levels of perceived preparation. This was further supported by themes in the focus group discussions. CIs reported student readiness for the setting, rating students somewhat prepared (occasional cues/<50% assist) or better, on the CI Questionnaire in 85.6% of survey items. CI focus group themes also generally supported student preparation. All students met the PTAMACS required threshold to pass the CE. Discussion and Conclusion: Implementation of the SBLE was practicable and well received by a single cohort of PTA students and their CIs; and, students were successful in their inpatient CE following the experiences. PTA student and CI perceptions were consistent with literature on the benefits of SBLE for DPT students. Further research on SBLE and PTA education in larger cohort studies is warranted.

Use of prebriefing in simulation-based experience for nursing education: a scoping review

Embracing innovative pedagogies and structured pre-simulation activities in healthcare simulation enhances learning and clinical performance. The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) propose a three-phase approach of prebriefing, simulation-based experiences and debriefing. This scoping review explored the impact of prebriefing pedagogies, aiming to enhance nursing students’ chances of success in simulation-based learning experiences. This scoping review encompassed the existing literature on simulation in nursing education, specifically focusing on prebriefing strategies. The existing literature revealed variations in the contexts, educational concepts, prebriefing pedagogy and outcome measures employed in simulation-based experiences. None of the studies established a correlation between dependent variables and prebriefing pedagogy strategies. Instead, most studies utilized a combination of dependent variables to measure the correlated aspects of prebriefing, namely personal development and engagement. The recognized prebriefing strategies serve as valuable resources for nurse educators when designing the prebriefing phase of a simulation-based experience.

Examining the use of geriatric standardized patients with baccalaureate nursing students

ABSTRACT The need for clinical placements for undergraduate nursing programs heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic as nursing schools across the country faced restrictions with the high-risk geriatric client population. Nursing students experienced increased anxiety levels, decreased learning opportunities, and uncertainties about the decision to enter the workforce as healthcare professionals. In turn, this amplified the need for faculty support and feedback imperative for student success. One method for mitigating the gap between didactic content and clinical placement is using simulation-based learning experiences. The purpose of this observational study was to examine the impact of a newly developed home health geriatric simulation on student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning among 133 senior-level Baccalaureate nursing students from a large public university. Study measures included the National League of Nursing’s Self-Confidence in Learning Scale (SCLS) and Simulation Design Scale (SDS). The primary outcome was satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Higher SDS component scores were significantly correlated with higher SCLS scores (all p = <.0001), indicating that high satisfaction among Baccalaureate nursing students in simulation design relates to increased satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Study findings support using standardized geriatric simulation scenarios to prepare students to communicate and care for older adults.

Effects of virtual reality simulation on medical students’ learning and motivation in human parasitology instruction: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundDespite the proven effectiveness of simulation-based learning activities, its adoption in medical education remains limited, and the influence of simulation on student motivation, particularly subjective task values, is seldom explored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a simulation-based learning activity on student learning and subjective task values in a medical morphology-related course of Human Parasitology.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted with 113 Chinese undergraduate medical students who participated in a Human Parasitology course during April to May 2022. Students were divided into two groups: Simulation Group (n = 55), where students used the simulation, and Lecture Group (n = 58), where students attended an online lecture. Students’ learning was measured prior to the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and three weeks later to assess knowledge retention. The subjective task values questionnaire was administered before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA and MANOVA.ResultsStudents in the Simulation Group exhibited significantly higher knowledge gain compared to the Lecture Group [F (1,110) = 23.69, p < 0.01]. Additionally, the Simulation Group retained knowledge significantly better than the Lecture Group [F (1,101) = 10.05, p < 0.005]. Furthermore, students in the Simulation Group experienced a significant increase in subjective task values after the intervention [F (3, 52) = 3.57, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.17], while students in the Lecture Group reported a significant decrease in subjective task values [F (3, 55) = 2.96, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.14].ConclusionsSimulation-based learning not only leads to superior learning but also enhances students’ subjective task values. These findings offer valuable insights into designing effective simulation-based learning experiences in medical education and have significant practical implications for educators and medical professionals.

Integrating Foundational and Clinical Science Remotely by Combining Team-Based Learning and Simulation

Integrating foundational and clinical science in medical and other professional healthcare degree programs has been well established as a means to enhance learning. However, implementation remains challenging, and a significant gap exists in guidance for non-professional degree programs to effectively accomplish both types of integration. Additionally, many modalities described in the literature are resource-intensive, scale poorly to larger groups, and are widely inaccessible. We present an online modality combining team-based learning and a simulation-based learning experience that fosters vertical and horizontal integration of physiology, pharmacology, and clinical science. The tools utilized include a vital sign simulator, video conferencing software, and a document-sharing platform. The activity demonstrated improved knowledge comparing pre- and posttests and evidence that the activity helped students integrate physiology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine. The novel structure is effective and accessible, uses open-source software and standard equipment available to most undergraduate and graduate faculty, and is adaptable to in-person, hybrid-remote, and fully remote delivery.

Effect of Storytelling and Empathy Training to Support Affective Learning in Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Empathy is a desired characteristic in nurses, but its development is often overlooked in nursing simulation. This study evaluated the effect of a storytelling and empathy training intervention to enhance empathy development in simulation-based learning. A quasi-experimental control group design was used to evaluate differences in self-perceived and observed empathy in undergraduate nursing students (N = 71). Relationships between self-perceived and observed empathy were also assessed. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant increase in self-perceived empathy, and higher, but nonstatistically significant differences in observed empathy for subjects in the treatment condition. No relationship between self-perceived and observed empathy was observed. Storytelling and empathy training may augment simulation-based learning experiences to promote empathy development in undergraduate nursing students.

Enhancing Palliative Communication in the Intensive Care Unit Through Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project

BackgroundPalliative communication is a vital aspect of patient and family-centered end-of-life care in the intensive care unit. Despite this, specialty-specific training and education in palliative communication are generally limited for critical care nurses. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the effect of adding a simulation-based learning experience to the existing End of Life Nursing Education Consortium adult critical care course on critical care nurse comfort with palliative communication as a component of end-of-life care. MethodUsing a pretest/post-test design, 11 critical care nurse participants completed a measure of comfort related to end-of-life communication prior to the course and immediately following the simulation experience. ResultA paired-samples t-test showed a statistically increase in comfort with palliative communication from the pretest (M = 56.36, SE = 2.40) to post-test (M = 48.27, SE = 2.97), t (10) = 2.54, p = .30 (two-tailed), The mean decrease in scores was 8.09, 95% CI (0.98, 15.91). Qualitative survey responses indicated that the simulation provided valuable practice of palliative communication techniques. ConclusionA simulation-based learning experience incorporated into an existing palliative care education course is feasible to implement and increased critical care nurse comfort with palliative communication at end-of-life.

Satisfaction and Self-Confidence of Undergraduate Nursing Students with Simulation-Based Learning Experiences

Background: Hands-on patient care could be best experienced through clinical rotations; however, opportunities for direct patient care for student nurses are limited due to lack of clinical sites and availability of patients, faculty shortages, and some ethical and safety concerns. The purpose to measure the satisfaction and self-confidence of nursing students with their simulation-based learning.&#x0D; Methodology: This study used an analytic cross-sectional design. The study was conducted at a private university in Karachi, Pakistan, and recruited 230 nursing students using a total population sampling technique. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to collect data. ANOVA was used to see the differences in the mean scores, and Pearson correlation was used to assess the correlation between satisfaction and self confidence. Results: The overall mean + SD of satisfaction was 75.80 + 8.93 and for self-confidence was 32.59 + 3.61.&#x0D; Findings revealed a significant difference in mean scores of satisfaction and self-confidence among the study groups, p &lt; 0.05. A strong positive correlation, Pearson r = 0.725, p = 0.001, was revealed between the satisfaction and self-confidence. Conclusion: The study discovered that simulation-based learning plays a significant role in increasing satisfaction and in building the self-confidence of nursing students, so it should be made a part of their curriculum, and integrated into all possible courses in the undergraduate nursing programs.

Building Team Leader Competency in Senior Nursing Students.

Nursing students have limited opportunities to build team leader skills during their clinical experiences, leaving a practice gap. Senior nursing students participated in a competency-based education unit and a simulation-based learning experience incorporating team leader skills. Presurvey and postsurvey data were collected using the Self-Confidence and Comfort with Utilizing a Standardized Handoff Communication Tool. Participants who completed both surveys were analyzed ( n = 85). Statistically significant improvements were found on 14 of the 19 survey items. Results suggest the effectiveness of using competency-based education and simulation-based learning experience to help nursing students build confidence and comfort in team leader skills.

Mental health assessment – a 360° student experience

We have been developing 360° simulated practice videos for healthcare science students. The students who have taken part in the filming and watched the videos provided feedback on whether this would benefit their learning. We are doing this to continue to strive forward with innovations in virtual learning in line with Health Education England [1]. The simulation-based videos have been created to add to the healthcare sciences units to aid in ‘real-life’ teaching styles, to help build confidence and resilience in healthcare students, and to provide multidisciplinary, patient-focused scenarios that can be included in assessments [2]. First and third-year paramedic students took part in mass casualty scenarios filmed at our student’s union building. They worked with Critical Care Practitioners, Academics, Nurses in practice, and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit to create handover videos involving assessing casualties to create videos for other healthcare professionals. Follow-up videos were then filmed on the 360° cameras in the simulation suites to represent an accident and emergency environment as this is where mental health crisis assessments can take place. The adult psychosis presentation was filmed and shows ‘psychiatric liaison nurses’ played by second-year MSc and BSc mental health students assessing the person with suspected psychosis and making clinical decisions. The scenario mental state examination and the case study were scripted. Students could view the 360° videos using virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Rift [3]. The student feedback evaluation data was collected via an online survey and focus group discussions (FGDs). A survey was completed with n=30 students across all fields of nursing students and paramedic students. The student FGD evaluations were very positive about alternative simulated learning styles with one student quoting ‘It will make an assessment of mental health patients a lot easier for students using appropriate tools and models’. Students found that simulation-based learning experience is an excellent addition to traditional learning approaches as it met the requirements for different learning styles. This research project brought together academics and practitioners from across practice and university. Future work should build on these resources based on feedback from students and service users. 1. National Health Service/Health Education England. 2020. A national vision for the role of simulation and immersive technologies in health and care. 2. ASPiH/HEE. 2016. Simulation-based Education in Healthcare Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare (aspih.org.uk) [Accessed on 17/06/2022] 3. Topal review: NHS. 2019. Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future.

Final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students’ perspectives on simulation-based education: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSimulation-based education is a teaching and learning approach that can enhance learning experiences for students on healthcare programmes. Within undergraduate nursing and midwifery education, simulation can support students in developing graduate attributes necessary to become practice-ready professionals. This paper reports on the evaluation of a simulation-based education initiative, which was introduced to support final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in preparation for their upcoming clinical internship in practice.MethodsThis study aimed to evaluate a simulation-based education initiative from the perspectives of final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students (N = 95). An online survey, using the validated Simulation Effectiveness Tool – Modified (SET-M), was distributed to final year nursing and midwifery students at one university in Ireland. This study was conducted and reported in line with the Consensus-Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS).ResultsThe results of the study highlight final year nursing and midwifery students’ perceptions, experiences, and satisfaction with learning in a simulated environment. Students reported their simulation-based learning experiences as worthwhile, motivating, and as important opportunities to build on previous learning, increase confidence and gain experience in preparation for real-life practice. Students reported feeling more confident in their assessment skills, in providing care and interventions in responding to changes in a person’s health status. All students reported that the simulation-based learning experiences enabled them to think more critically about the clinical case scenarios and critically question their actions and decision-making processes. Pre-briefing and debriefing sessions were highlighted as important aspects of the simulation which helped to increase student confidence and cultivate meaningful learning.ConclusionSimulation-based education is a valuable teaching and learning modality, particularly for final year students who are transitioning to real-life clinical practice. Student-centred simulation-based learning experiences can cultivate professional development and support learners in their transition from university student to healthcare professional.

The effect of standardized patients for physical therapy students on behaving and communicating as a professional: a systematic review

Background Previous systematic review and meta-analysis examining standardized patients (SPs) in Physical Therapy (PT) education yielded 14 articles describing 16 studies; 10 addressed professional behaviors (PB), and six reported providing SP feedback to students. Of those six studies, four were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) emphasizing SP feedback on clinical competencies. Only two studies examined PB or communication in PT students after receiving SP feedback. There appears to be a gap within the current literature to understand better SPs’ ability to impact PT students’ communication and PB as they prepare for clinical education. This systematic review aimed to synthesize and critically appraise the findings of empirical studies (qualitative or quantitative) evaluating the contribution of SPs on the student’s affective learning domain (professional behavior and/or communication) in PT entry-level education. Methods A systematic review was completed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines for Reporting Systematic Reviews on December 1, 2021, using the following electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials, CINAHL, ERIC, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Article inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed, assess PT students, assess the affective learning domain, intervention using live, standardized patient learning experiences, and be written in the English language. Studies were excluded if they involved peer-role play as the (SP) or if the authors did not describe the SP process. The risk of bias was evaluated through the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool (CASP), given the heterogeneity of study types anticipated for this systematic review, and PEDro if the study design was a RCT. Results There were ten included studies in this review. Two studies were RCT designs that explored Immersive Simulation-Based Learning Experience (SBE) in the clinic’s impact on PB, and all used the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (AAP) outcome measure. The other seven studies examined SPs or SBE on PB within the classroom and had significant heterogeneity based on study design and outcomes reported. Discussion Summative results suggest that SP or SBE has some unique attributes, if applied in the clinical environment, may improve students’ PB and core values development, consistent with a PT practice. This systematic review may inform academic leadership and clinical educators in physical therapy education delivery. Integrating experiential and simulated learning experiences into a program may increase efficiency by allowing students to demonstrate clinical competence skills sooner. Limitations Heterogeneity of study design and reported outcomes limited the results and pooling of data.

Telepresence: An Innovative Teaching Modality to Enrich Simulation and Remote Learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the need for simulation and necessitated a radical change in how educators execute simulation-based learning (SBL), highlighting new and emerging technologies. Student evaluations noted a lack of realism with screen-based and telesimulations, and faculty reported students' decreased engagement. This project enhanced SBL using robot telepresence to provide an immersive and interactive environment. Student comments supported the positive experience, expressing greater engagement and indicating that the experience closely mirrored clinical practice. Telepresence removes barriers to distance learning, augments the potential of SBL, and broadens the understanding of how to deliver engaging SBL experiences to remote learners.

From implementation to revising simulation integration into undergraduate physiotherapy training

Background. Careful consideration of an increasingly underprepared tertiary student population, the limited use of simulation in South African (SA) healthcare education and a changing healthcare education milieu is required from SA educators when implementing, evaluating and revising simulation integration.Objectives. To develop a conceptual framework for the integration of simulation in the SA undergraduate physiotherapy programme.Methods. A non-experimental descriptive research design was used. A purposive sample of 15 healthcare educationalists from SA and abroad were approached to participate in a modified Delphi survey, informed by the results obtained from a systematic review identifying simulation integration framework elements. Data were analysed as percentages, with feedback provided to panel members following each round.Results. Data saturation was achieved after round 3, with a response rate of 73.3% (n=11). The main findings suggested that student preparation prior to simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) should include orientation to SBLE logistics and expectations (73%), and could include informal assessment of theory (64%). Inclusion of the feedback/debriefing process (82%), methods (100%) and timing (85%) as part of student and educator preparation were also deemed essential. Panel members agreed that programme evaluation in line with stakeholder feedback (92%) is vital for guiding adjustments to the programme that is integrating simulation.Conclusion. The developed conceptual framework indicates the necessity of student and educator preparation to ensure optimal SBLE participation and outcome achievement. Programme sustainability should be ensured through programme evaluation and adjustment, in line with stakeholder feedback, best practice and accrediting professional body guidelines.

Simulation-based Learning Experiences in Stuttering Management Delivered Online: What Do Students, Clinical Educators and Simulated Patients Think?

Speech pathology students are required to demonstrate competency across a range of practice areas. There are, however, limited opportunities for students to access clinical placements in the area of stuttering. Simulation-based learning (SBL) activities have proven to be effective in increasing students’ clinical experience in this area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of in-person SBL programs was not feasible, resulting in a shift to online provision. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students, clinical educators and simulated patients who participated in an online adult stuttering SBL experience. Ten first-year graduate entry Masters program speech pathology students participated in the study alongside four clinical educators and four simulated patients. The experience involved two online SBL sessions and one online tutorial via videoconferencing from separate locations. Each participant group engaged in focus group interviews exploring their perceptions of the online SBL activity. Thematic network analysis of the focus group interview data was conducted. Overall interpretation of the data from the perspectives of students, clinical educators and simulated patients revealed an overarching global theme that online SBL offers a positive, comfortable and comparable experience to enable students to build client-centred, clinical and telepractice skills. The positive outcomes of this study suggest that together with in-person clinical experiences, online SBL has an important role in the education of speech pathology students. 

The PIER framework for healthcare simulation integration in undergraduate physiotherapy education

BackgroundThe need for healthcare curricula renewal to facilitate a continuum in education from classrooms to diverse healthcare settings is undeniable. Simulation has been recognized as an educational strategy to address healthcare education challenges, with limited reporting on the integration of simulation-based learning experiences in physiotherapy education. The study aimed to describe the finalisation of a framework for integration of healthcare simulation in an undergraduate physiotherapy program.MethodsA qualitative descriptive research design was utilized. Five South African experts in the fields of healthcare simulation and/or physiotherapy education contributed to the finalization of the framework during a consensus meeting. Content analysis was employed and credibility was ensured through double coding.ResultsStructural coding yielded five themes- Planning, Implementation, Program Evaluation, Program Revision and Framework. The five themes consisted of fifteen categories, two sub-categories and 44 codes. The planning theme was most robust with seven categories. The Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Revision (PIER) framework was developed and finalized by expert participants. following the consensus meeting.ConclusionNeeds analyses when planning and incorporating simulation is essential. Collaboration through resource and knowledge sharing is vital in developing a responsive curriculum integrating simulation. Furthermore, facilitator and student preparation are paramount in ensuring active engagement in simulated-based learning experiences. The interconnectedness of all framework elements and integration phases, as well as the implied importance of competent facilitators and prepared students is crucial and highlights careful consideration to be given to these aspects. The PIER framework is generic in nature and represents the continuous process of simulation integration for any healthcare program.