Occupational Therapy Students' Perceived Value of Simulated Learning Experiences

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Occupational Therapy Training
• Simulation in Medical Education

Background:

• Simulated learning experiences are increasingly used in healthcare education.
• Standardized patients (SPs) offer a safe environment for skill development.
• Evaluating student perceptions is crucial for refining simulation-based training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess occupational therapy students' perceived value of a simulated learning experience.
• To identify specific components of simulation that contribute to its perceived value.
• To inform the development of effective simulation strategies in occupational therapy curricula.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative pilot study design was employed.
• Occupational therapy students participated in a standardized patient simulation.
• An 18-item questionnaire was administered post-simulation to gather data.

Main Results:

• Students reported a positive overall perception of the simulated learning experience.
• Key valued components included instructor feedback, professional attire, consistent SP role-playing, and group debriefing.
• These elements were identified as enhancing the realism and educational benefit of the simulation.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy students perceive standardized patient interactions as a valuable educational tool.
• Further research is recommended to determine the effectiveness of simulation in preparing students for clinical practice.
• Simulation holds potential for enhancing the readiness of healthcare students for real-world patient encounters.