Jennifer L. Doherty-Restrepo, PhD, LAT, ATC
Florida International University, USA
Title: Does simulation-based training increase athletic training students’ clinical confidence and competence of performing a cardiovascular screening?
Biography
Biography: Jennifer L. Doherty-Restrepo, PhD, LAT, ATC
Abstract
Context: The need for increased screening to detect cardiac diseases in preparticipation physical examinations is a focus in athletic training. Objective: To examine if a simulation-based training can increase athletic training students’ self-reported confidence and clinical competence in conducting a cardiovascular screening. Design: Pretest-posttest design. Participants: 25 first-year athletic training students. Intervention(s): Standardized cardiovascular curriculum. Main Outcome Measure(s): Learner self-reported confidence scale, multiple-choice knowledge exam, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of cardiovascular assessment skills and auditory recognition of heart murmurs. Results: Self-reported confidence increased significantly from 4.4±2.1 to 9.2±3.0 post-intervention (F = 78.7, p < 0.001) with a moderately high effect size (h2=0.789). Knowledge exam scores increased significantly from 11.0±2.5 to 13.6±4.0 post-intervention (F= 5.3, p= 0.031) with a low effect size (h2=0.191). The history-taking assessment of the OSCE increased significantly from 2.6±1.6 to 5.7±1.7 post-intervention (F= 70.1, p< 0.001) with a moderately high effect size (h2=0.751). The clinical skills assessment of the OSCE increased significantly from 4.1±2.8 to 15.6±1.6 post-intervention (F= 415.4, p< 0.001) with a high effect size (h2=0.952). Conclusions: Simulation-based training is an effective tool for increasing students’ self-reported confidence and competence in conducting a cardiovascular screening.