Radiography student perceptions of a simulated clinical placement to enhance clinical placement capacity: A...

Post-pandemic workforce demands in Wales have resulted in an increase in radiography students, causing an imbalance between student numbers and clinical placement learning opportunities. Simulation-based education (SBE) has been effectively implemented in several healthcare professions to replace clinical placement hours and enhance learning equity. This study aimed to address the limited scope of literature surrounding this approach within diagnostic radiography education in Wales, by exploring student perceptions of a Simulated Clinical Placement (SCP) package in one university radiography degree programme, to establish its acceptability as a replacement of clinical hours.

A qualitative descriptive design was selected to explore the value and factors influencing student perceptions of SCP. A focus group of eight students was formed to collect data, which was audio recorded, transcribed, coded and thematically analysed.

Four themes were identified; preconceptions and prior experiences, SCP provision, learning conducive to confidently meeting professional standards, and role in clinical placement capacity. Student preconceptions and prior experiences were initially negative but evolved into enjoyment throughout package delivery. SCP provision influenced learning experiences, with all students reporting SCP enhanced confidence and skills supporting them in meeting required professional registration expectations. Students further reported most learning still occurred in clinical departments, and this was preferable to the SCP.

Overall, despite the SCP package being supportive to clinical learning, it was deemed insufficient to replace clinical placement hours, and should be a supplement, not a substitute. Additionally, simulation packages should only be adopted for accommodating already increased student numbers, not as a means of increasing cohort size.

Clinical placements and simulation activities will progressively cohabitate, however with limited research and guidance, further exploration is required to establish the extent of this relationship for capacity management.