Speech-language pathology students' perceptions of simulation-based learning experiences in stuttering

Research suggests that some speech-language pathologists are uncomfortable treating people who stutter. Accessing quality clinical education experiences in stuttering is difficult given the ongoing rise in students enrolled in speech-language pathology programmes and the limited number of stuttering-specific placements available. Simulation-based learning is a viable option for providing speech-language pathology students with practical experience in a safe learning environment. Whilst research has found that simulation-based learning experiences in stuttering assist in the development of students' clinical skills, students' perceptions of participating in stuttering simulation-based learning are yet to be explored.

To investigate speech-language pathology students' comfort, anxiety, knowledge and confidence in the management of stuttering at the commencement of an academic stuttering course and before and following participation in a stuttering simulation-based learning programme.

This study used a cross-sectional survey design. Participants were 105 undergraduate and graduate entry masters speech-language pathology students enrolled at an Australian university. Students engaged in a stuttering simulation-based learning programme embedded within an existing academic course on the management of stuttering. A purposefully developed survey was administered at three time points: pre-course (T1), pre-simulation (T2) and post-simulation (T3) in order to explore students' comfort and anxiety levels, and perceptions of their knowledge and confidence in stuttering management. Descriptive statistics were used to report the medians and range of students' responses. Changes across all time points and between each of the time points were determined using the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively.

Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed on all matched survey items (n = 96) across all time points. Between each time point, a significant difference in students' perceived knowledge levels was found with small to large effect sizes. However, there was no difference in students' perceived comfort and anxiety levels between the time points of pre-course and pre-simulation. Open-ended responses on the post-simulation survey revealed that students valued learning about stuttering within a simulation-based learning environment.

Simulation-based learning experience in stuttering management was valued by students. When accompanied by theoretical content, participation in a stuttering simulation-based learning programme supported students to feel more comfortable and less anxious about working with people who stutter. This finding has implications for the development of clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of adults who stutter.

What is already known on this subject Simulation is a teaching approach used within speech-language pathology to support the development of students' clinical skills. Simulation provides a safe learning environment for students, an opportunity for repeated practice and is valued by students. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study explored students' perceptions of their comfort, anxiety, knowledge and confidence in working with people who stutter before and following participation in a simulation-based learning programme. It describes a stuttering simulation-based learning programme that can be embedded into speech-language pathology programme curricula. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The stuttering simulation-based learning programme detailed in this study can be applied and embedded in speech-language pathology curricula. It can be used to support the development of students' confidence in the assessment and management of stuttering.