Educational design insights for interprofessional immersive simulation to prepare allied health students for clinical placements

Abstract

Background: positive outcomes of simulation programmes to prepare students for placement are widely noted. However, few studies adequately describe considerations for designing allied health placement simulations. There exists a conceptual framework to guide such simulation design, which draws on theory and educational expertise but to date lacks varied stakeholder perspectives. This study aimed to identify implications for the design of allied health placement simulation from participants’ experiences of a simulation-based, interprofessional, novice placement preparation programme. 

Methods: occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry students finishing their first year of study were offered a 1-week intensive interprofessional simulation immediately before their first placement. Focus groups in the following weeks allowed participants to discuss their experiences of the programme, preparation for student placements, and recommendations. These were transcribed and interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis and then abductively related to the conceptual framework.

Results: in total, 22 participants broadly representative of the simulation programme participants contributed to separate focus groups with domestic-enrolled students (n = 7), international students (n = 5), external practice educators (n = 6), and simulated participants (n = 4). Inductive reflexive thematic analysis generated six themes: (i) engaging learning environment, (ii) realism and relevance, (iii) student confidence and communication, (iv) international students’ needs, (v) recommendations to facilitate further preparation for placement, and (vi) importance of preparation to engage in simulation. All participant groups were invested in the programme and highlighted learning opportunities. An immersive and relatable experience with active participation contributed to confidence and communication skill development. International students noted needs pertaining to cultural and language expectations. Other participant recommendations related to the equity of opportunities and specific preparation for placement student-educator interactions. Finally, every participant group noted features of effective preparation for simulation-based education.

Conclusions: Relating these findings abductively to the literature and conceptual frameworks, this study highlights simulation design considerations for learner needs assessment, engagement, realism, psychological safety, and challenge to prepare learners for their first clinical placement. Specific implications for adequately preparing all participant groups, design considerations for the needs of culturally diverse students, and balancing interprofessional and discipline-specific learning are highlighted from a lived experience viewpoint. Future research may engage greater stakeholder co-design in simulation-based education.

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