Simulation speaks for itself: Building speech-language pathology students’ confidence through high quality simulation within a workplace clinical placement

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated student perceptions of a brief standardised patient programme within a speech-language pathology workplace clinical placement. The simulation programme was designed to allow practise of communication and interpersonal skills with standardised patients before working with real patients in the healthcare environment. Methods: Speech-language pathology students (n = 30) completing their final-year placement at an Australian metropolitan healthcare provider participated in this programme between 2014 and 2016. Students routinely completed anonymous pre-post experience surveys as part of the programme. A retrospective pre-post study design was used to determine the programme’s impact on perceived anxiety and perceived confidence for communication and interpersonal skills. A qualitative analysis of written feedback was also utilised to further understand student perceptions of the programme. Results: Reported levels of anxiety, when anticipating interaction with real patients, significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Further, confidence across all communication and interpersonal skills increased significantly (p < 0.05) post programme. Thematic analysis of written feedback showed three themes related to student perceptions and learning preferences.Conclusions: Although actual learning outcomes were not investigated, it appears that the utilisation of a brief standardised patient learning programme, embedded within a speech-language pathology workplace placement, is a promising way to target student competencies, such as communication and interpersonal skills.