Abstract:

Clinical simulations are an alternate approach to clinical education recognized within the profession of Speech Language Pathology as a method for students to obtain client contact hours (ASHA, 2013). Clinical simulations which are used across the professions of Medicine, Nursing, Pyschology, Allied Health, and Speech-Language Pathology expose learners to virtual clinical scenarios while teaching critical thinking, patient care, and interprofessional practice. While clinical simulations are recognized as a both a valid teaching tool and a mechanism to obtain a limited number of clinical hours required by accrediting agencies, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in the use of clinical simulations. Traditionally simulation activities in the health professions are completed at the graduate and professional level.

The purpose of this presentation is the review the perception of undergraduate students satisfaction and self-confidence upon completion of computer based clinical simulations. A Likert scale survey was completed for 23 students comparing their experience with perception of their experience working with live clients versus computerized simulated clients. The survey consisted of three parts 1) demographic information, 2) students' perception of their confidence with actual versus simulated clients, and 3) their satisfaction with simulated client care experience as a learning tool . The findings of this this study as well as implications for student preparation will be discussed.

Keywords:

Speech Language Pathology, Clinical Simulations, Technology, Student Perception.