Improving hands-off health-care professionals using simulation: An intervention study

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the effectiveness of simulation in health professionals who are ‘hands-off’ practitioners such as, exercise physiologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using simulation, towards improving knowledge, confidence and experience in exercise physiology students. Fifty-two (Mage= 22 years) students participated in weekly learning activities involving role-play simulation of a client with a neurological health condition. Students completed a modified Participant Perception Indicator survey to evaluate knowledge, experience and confidence attributes and a Student Assessment of Learning Gains survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the class pedagogy. Students learning was assessed by written exams. Knowledge, experience and confidence all significantly improved after participation in simulation and client preparation and design and discussion of exercises contributed to learning. Simulation may be suitable in developing students self-reported knowledge, ...