Perceptions of students and educators regarding a once-off pre-clinical ICU simulation activity

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physiotherapy
• Simulation-Based Education

Background:

• Physiotherapy skills like suction and manual hyperinflation (MHI) are crucial in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Effective and safe performance of these skills requires expertise.
• The impact of a one-off preclinical high-fidelity simulation on the clinical application of these skills remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate student perceptions of a simulation-based education (SBE) activity.
• To gather clinical educators' opinions on students' skill implementation post-SBE.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of student feedback using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool - Modified (SET-M) and Simulation Laboratory Questionnaire.
• A nominal group technique (NGT) with clinical educators to assess skill implementation.
• Descriptive data analysis of collected feedback and opinions.

Main Results:

• Forty-nine students participated in six 3-hour SBE sessions, reporting positive perceptions.
• Clinical educators noted improvements in students' skill handling, confidence, patient response observation, theoretical knowledge, and precaution recall.
• Five of fifteen clinical educators participated in the NGT, with a mean age of 35.8 years and 13.9 years of qualification.

Conclusions:

• Clinical educators observed a tangible change in students' clinical practice regarding specific physiotherapy skills.
• Preclinical simulation-based education can positively influence the application of ICU physiotherapy skills in practice.