Using technology to enhance physical therapy students’ problem-solving skills around safe patient handling

Abstract

Background: Physical therapy students are at risk of musculoskeletal injuries during patient handling. Current guidelines recommend a risk management approach to reduce the likelihood of injury associated with patient handling. Objectives: To determine the benefits of online scenarios using scenario-based learning interactive (SBLiH) to enhance students' confidence in making decisions around patient handling techniques, including equipment, and in practical patient handling skills. Methods: Third year undergraduate and first year graduate-entry masters (GEM) students from the 2011 cohort of the physical therapy program at The University of Queensland received comprehensive training in patient handling. Only GEM students completed two SBLi patient scenarios. Students' confidence in selecting patient handling techniques and equipment was assessed pre-and post-training with three statements scored on a 10-cm visual analogue scale anchored from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Patient handling skills were assessed with a practical skill assessment. Student satisfaction with SBLi as a learning platform was determined with three items and a focus group with eight students. Results: Students' confidence in performing a patient risk assessment and selecting appropriate patient handling technique and equipment improved with training. However, the online scenarios provided no additional advantage to the GEM students' confidence in these tasks or in the practical skill assessment. GEM students were moderately satisfied with SBLi as a learning platform, reporting that it assisted their clinical preparation for the clinical environment and increased their awareness for safety of themselves and others. Conclusions: The online interactive scenarios provided no additional benefit but may assist student preparation for the clinical environment.

Hybrid Learning to Develop Safe Patient Handling Judgement in Occupational Therapy Students

“…Students participating in the lab verbally referred to the body mechanics photos while practicing and asked questions. The use of embedded photos and videos supports the findings of Johnston et al (2013) regarding the ability of video scenarios to develop problem-solving skills, and Hayden (2013) to improve cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills when paired with instructor feedback.…”

“…In particular, online learning combined with hands-on learning shows potential for teaching patient handling. Physical therapy students developed problem-solving skills regarding safe patient handling through a hybrid learning experience that included video scenarios and engaging face-to-face experiences, which prepared them for the clinic environment (Johnston, Nitz, Isles, Chipchase, & Gustafsson, 2013). Hayden (2013) demonstrated the potential to improve cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills with online media, but students continued to need a hands-on lab to obtain instructor feedback regarding safe patient handling.…”