Enhancing career development for biomedical sciences Students: Leveraging simulations to support patient-facing...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Biomedical Sciences
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Medical and nursing education extensively use simulations, yet these are rare in basic science courses like Biomedical Sciences.
• Biomedical Science students often aspire to patient-facing postgraduate roles, but may face barriers related to confidence and belonging, especially from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Clinical simulations offer immersive learning to develop essential skills, boost confidence, and improve employability for these students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and deliver clinical scenarios for Biomedical Sciences students to develop transferable skills.
• To enhance skills in patient consultation, teamwork, and ethical decision-making through simulated clinical experiences.
• To evaluate the impact of extracurricular clinical simulations on student learning, confidence, and employability.

Main Methods:

• Four distinct clinical scenarios were developed and implemented in a state-of-the-art simulation suite.
• Scenarios included patient consultations, ethical dilemmas, difficult conversations, and a gamified infection scenario.
• Student experience was evaluated using a Likert survey over a two-year period, with 31 participants from 60 total students.

Main Results:

• The simulation experience was predominantly utilized by students from widening participation backgrounds.
• 97% reported a positive learning experience, 100% enjoyed the simulation, and 90% felt it improved communication and teamwork skills.
• 84% reported improved employability, with 90% desiring simulation integration into their curriculum and 91% preferring it over traditional methods.

Conclusions:

• Extracurricular clinical simulations are effective in developing crucial skills for Biomedical Sciences students.
• These simulations positively impact students from widening participation backgrounds, fostering confidence and career readiness.
• Evidence supports embedding immersive simulation experiences into Biomedical Sciences curricula to enhance postgraduate opportunities.