Evaluating Changes in Clinical Decision-Making in Physical Therapy Students After Participating in Simulation

Virtual Reality Instructional Design in Orthopedic Physical Therapy Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…14,[40][41][42] Significant improvements in features associated with CDM are similar to the results of previous studies investigating changes after high-fidelity simulation experiences. Macauley, 31 for instance, described statistically significant improvement in CDM after either a hybrid simulation with a standardized patient and a manikin or a task trainer simulation compared with a control group. ese findings are consistent with systematic review level evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of virtual clinical simulation on features of CDM, especially when compared with a control group.…”

“…These findings are consistent with systematic review level evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of virtual clinical simulation on features of CDM, especially when compared with a control group. 43 While the revised 12-item CDM tool 30 was used in the present study, the original 25-item CDM tool by Macauley 31 makes a direct comparison of outcomes difficult. Interestingly, however, when comparing the percent of improvement in the original and revised CDM tools between these studies, the observed improvement in first-year students' perceived decision-making skills after VR in the present study (7.1%) was greater than the first-year improvement (2.5%) and approached the second-year improvement (8.1%) after task trainer and hybrid simulation experiences, respectively, as reported by Macauley.…”

“…Interestingly, however, when comparing the percent of improvement in the original and revised CDM tools between these studies, the observed improvement in first-year students' perceived decision-making skills after VR in the present study (7.1%) was greater than the first-year improvement (2.5%) and approached the second-year improvement (8.1%) after task trainer and hybrid simulation experiences, respectively, as reported by Macauley. 31 While Gilliland 44 described the rigid clinical reasoning strategies of first-year students, which includes trial and error type procedures, perhaps the immersive VR environment that emphasized the hypotheticodeductive reasoning process commonly associated with third-year students encouraged a greater shift in perceived CDM abilities.…”

“…29,30 Additionally, the CDM tool has demonstrated the ability to capture changes in SPTs' decision-making abilities after simulation training. 31 The CDM tool includes 12 Likert scale items, scored on a 4-point scale, with 1 representing “I need direct assistance to do this in the clinic” and 4 representing “I am capable of teaching this to others in the clinical setting.” 30 Scores on the CDM tool range from 12 to 48, with higher raw scores indicating improvement in a student's perceived CDM abilities. 30…”

Assessing Outcomes of Simulation in Communication Sciences and Disorders

“…Research across health fields has demonstrated that SBLEs can positively influence student attitudes, knowledge, and skills (Boling & Hardin-Pierce, 2016;Frenzel et al, 2018;Hayden et al, 2015;Nestel et al, 2017;Watson et al, 2012). Further, studies have also assessed self-efficacy (confidence) and clinical decision-making (Boling & Hardin-Pierce, 2016;Macauley, 2018;Watson et al, 2012;Woda et al, 2017). Different types of assessments can be aligned with Kirkpatrick's levels of evaluation.…”