The use of simulation in occupational therapy education: A scoping review

Bridging gaps in the design and implementation of socially assistive technologies for dementia care: the role of occupational therapy

Dementia is a global health challenge, and people living with dementia (PLWD) are especially susceptible to reduced engagement in meaningful occupations, including social participation. In the past few decades, socially assistive technologies continue to be developed amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape to support the social health of PLWD and their caregivers. Examples include social robots, virtual reality, smart home technology, and various digital technologies, such as mobile applications for tablets and smartphones. Despite an increasing body of research and interest in this field, several gaps relating to the design and implementation process of socially assistive technologies continue to undermine their relevance for PLWD in daily life. In this paper, some of these gaps are highlighted and the role of occupational therapy in the design and implementation of socially assistive technology is presented. In the design process, occupational therapists are uniquely skilled to advise and advocate for the tailoring and personalisation of technology to address the occupational needs of PLWD. In the implementation of socially assistive technologies, occupational therapists are skilled to educate, train, and conduct ongoing evaluations with PLWD and their caregivers, to incorporate socially assistive technologies into their routine and daily lives. We recommend that occupational therapists should continue to be acquainted with such technologies through continuous professional development and educational curricula. Moreover, we highlight the necessary collaboration between occupational therapists, technology developers, and researchers to enhance the process of designing and implementing socially assistive technology, so that their relevance for PLWD and their caregivers can be maximised.Implications for rehabilitationDevelopers and designers of socially assistive technology should consider the disease trajectory of different types of dementia, as well as the different needs, abilities, preferences, occupations and routines of people living with dementia (PLWD) and/or their caregivers.Collaborations between technology developers, researchers, and occupational therapists should take place iteratively throughout the process of designing and implementing socially assistive technology to maximise their relevance and applicability for people living with dementia and their caregivers.To continue enhancing the current role of occupational therapy in socially assistive technology provision, occupational therapists should keep up to date with socially assistive technology that are being developed to support the social health of PLWD.

The Use of Simulation in Audiology Education: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the level and quality of evidence supporting the use of simulation in audiology education regarding enhanced knowledge, skills, self-confidence, and satisfaction.

METHOD

A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. The PICO mnemonic (where P = population, I = intervention, C = comparison, and O = outcomes) was used to frame the clinical question and generate search terms. Search strategies were executed in seven databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to track the peer-reviewed literature identification and selection process. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists and Levels of Evidence were used to characterize the research studies.

RESULTS

A total of 668 records were identified. Nineteen peer-reviewed publications met the inclusion criteria. Diverse study designs, interventions, assessment techniques, and simulation types were identified. Characteristics of included studies (e.g., author, year, study purpose) were reported by evidence tables. Primary and secondary outcomes were identified and described. Results indicate statistical and/or clinically significant improvements in knowledge, skills, and/or self-confidence following simulation training. Each study was critically appraised, and the level, quality, and strength were assigned.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of simulation as an educational method among audiology students has been shown to dramatically increase knowledge, skills, and self-confidence. However, the use of simulation in audiology education is still behind compared to other health professions. As a result, there are a limited number of simulation-based studies in audiology. Most health academic institutions have well-designed simulation centers; therefore, audiology programs are urged to collaborate with colleagues in other professions and benefit from the services offered by these facilities.

‘I left feeling different about myself’: What students learn on their first practice placement

Introduction:

With the inclusion of 40 hours of simulated practice education for UK occupational therapy students and the subsequent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have been exploring simulated placement opportunities. However, the evidence available to guide the development of such placements is sparse. This article presents the first stage of a grounded theory study that seeks to understand what students learn during the course of their first practice placement, with the intention of informing simulated placement development.

Method:

Grounded theory methodology was used to guide semi-structured individual interviews with 15 participants – seven undergraduate students, three practice educators and five postgraduate pre-registration students. Interviews occurred close to the end of the first practice placement. Concurrent data collection and analysis led to the development of categories of learning.

Findings:

Four core categories of learning were identified: learning about oneself, learning about the occupational therapy profession, learning about practices and learning about service users.

Conclusion:

Understanding of these four categories of learning may enable educators to consider learning which occurs that may not be anticipated, particularly in regard to personal development. This can enable educators to consider how learning can be targeted within simulation for an authentic simulated placement.

An exploration of the use of 3D printed foot models and simulated foot lesions to supplement scalpel skill training in undergraduate podiatry students: A multiple method study

BACKGROUND

Podiatrists regularly use scalpels in the management of foot pathologies, yet the teaching and learning of these skills can be challenging. The use of 3D printed foot models presents an opportunity for podiatry students to practice their scalpel skills in a relatively safe, controlled risk setting, potentially increasing confidence and reducing associated anxiety. This study evaluated the use of 3D printed foot models on podiatry students' anxiety and confidence levels and explored the fidelity of using 3D foot models as a teaching methodology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple study designs were used. A repeated measure trial evaluated the effects of a 3D printed foot model on anxiety and confidence in two student groups: novice users in their second year of podiatry studies (n = 24), and more experienced fourth year students completing a workshop on ulcer management (n = 15). A randomised controlled trial compared the use of the 3D printed foot models (n = 12) to standard teaching methods (n = 15) on students' anxiety and confidence in second year students. Finally, a focus group was conducted (n = 5) to explore final year student's perceptions of the fidelity of the foot ulcer models in their studies.

RESULTS

The use of 3D printed foot models increased both novice and more experienced users' self-confidence and task self-efficacy; however, cognitive and somatic anxiety was only reduced in the experienced users. All changes were considered large effects. In comparison to standard teaching methods, the use of 3D printed foot models had similar decreases in anxiety and increases in confidence measures. Students also identified the use of 3D foot models for the learning of scalpel skills as 'authentic' and 'lifelike' and led to enhanced confidence prior to assessment of skills in more high-risk situations.

CONCLUSION

Podiatry undergraduate programs should consider using 3D printed foot models as a teaching method to improve students' confidence and reduce their anxiety when using scalpels, especially in instances where face-to-face teaching is not possible (e.g., pandemic related restrictions on face-to-face teaching).

Percepción de la simulación clínica como estrategia de enseñanza para el desarrollo de competencias transversales en terapia ocupacional

RESUMEN En la actualidad la tendencia de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje giran en torno a estrategias centradas en los y las estudiantes, reconociéndolos como personas que participan activamente en su proceso de formación profesional y personal en este sentido, la estrategia de simulación clínica mediante usuarios simulados, se convierte en un método de enseñanza didáctico que permite el logro de aprendizaje significativo a corto y largo plazo de competencias profesionales en el individuo. El propósito que persigue este estudio es establecer la percepción que tienen los estudiantes universitarios, respecto de la simulación clínica como estrategia de enseñanza para la adquisición de competencias transversales. Metodológicamente, este estudio se enmarca en un enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental, de tipo descriptivo y temporalidad transversal. La muestra es no probabilística, compuesta por 13 estudiantes de 5° año de la carrera de Terapia Ocupacional con una M=24 años y DT=1,000. Los resultados reportan que, en las tres dimensiones estudiadas: (1) estrategias de simulación clínica como método de enseñanza, (2) estrategias de simulación clínica como adquisición de competencias y (3) estrategias de simulación clínica con interacción de personas en las prácticas profesionales, los estudiantes logran altos porcentajes de percepciones positivas. Se concluye que los estudiantes universitarios reconocen un impacto positivo de la práctica clínica simulada como una herramienta eficaz en su formación y procesos de aprendizaje de competencias transversales.