Making Decision Easier, Safer, and Better: Exploring Physical Therapy students´s satisfaction regarding simulated clinical environments at Universidad Europea de Canarias

Abstract

Simulated environments provide physiotherapists student`s interpersonal communication, interdisciplinary knowledge of the professionals and the clinical reasoning skills that could increase the learning and the satisfaction of potential applicants. Aim: To assess the satisfaction of physiotherapy graduates specializing in orthopaedic manual therapy with their learning experience in complex simulated scenarios. Methodology: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted based on an online public survey following the statement STROBE from January 2023 to June 2023. A total of 5 simulation sessions carried out at European University of the Canary Islands began with a briefing by the students, followed by the simulation itself to end with a debriefing. At the end of the debriefing, an electronic questionnaire titled "Simulation Activities Evaluation Questionnaire” was administered designed from quantitative and qualitative questions to explore on student's learning and experience. For data recording, a Microsoft Excel sheet was used, including demographic characteristics such as genre, age, labor experience, etc. For statistical and thematic analysis, two independent researchers used the Jamovi 2.3.12 and ATLAS.ti software for numerical and qualitative variables respectively. Results: Overall satisfaction with complex simulation environments was moderate (Mean=8.74/10, SD=1.182). After the intervention, the students moderately agreed (Mean=8.39, SD=1.022) in having acquired the competencies on the relationship with patients. Moreover, the participants agreed that simulation activities have given them confidence to face real clinical practice (Mean= 8.10, SD=1.446). Conclusion: For physical therapy students specializing in OMT, simulation environments are a teaching method that promotes clinical skills such as decision-making, clinical reasoning, ethical commitment, communication skills, and empathy.