Clinical Research
A class of physical therapy students participated in patient simulation as part of their course. Surveys were completed by students before and after the simulation to measure student confidence in knowledge and skills, patient education, assessment, and exam interpretation. Students were instructed to collect subjective history, perform a balance assessment, and administer a foot screen. Foot screens involved a skin and sensory assessment and were conducted according to guidelines set by the Comprehensive Diabetes Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention Program (CDLEAP).35 Per CDLEAP protocol, students placed standardized patients in a risk and management category based on examination findings.35 Students provided standardized patients with education on regular foot care and disease management to conclude each simulation.
Results:
Eighty-nine percent of students (n=44) completed all study surveys before and after simulations were held. Student confidence in knowledge and skills, patient education, assessment, and exam interpretation significantly increased post-simulation (p < .001). All students agreed that patient simulation should be more widely used in the physical therapy curriculum.
Discussion:
Results demonstrate how patient simulation may facilitate physical therapy education and improve student confidence in various clinical skills, including the care and management of patients with diabetes. Prospective research might better ascertain how patient simulation prepares physical therapy students for the clinical environment and strengthens their performance in the clinical setting long-term with larger sample sizes and more objective measures.