Standardized Patient Encounters and Individual Case-Based Simulations Improve Students' Confidence and Promote Reflection: A Preliminary Study

Athletic training students need a variety of clinical experiences to help them grow into their roles as healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee that the best exposure to these experiences will occur for each student during his clinical education. Simulations and standardized patient (SP) experiences are teaching methods that help students gain confidence and can ensure that students are exposed to specific clinical situations, such as emergencies (eg, fracture, joint dislocation, myocardial infarction) and complex injuries (eg, concussions). Simulations and SP encounters also provide students the opportunity to develop and practice clinical decision-making skills in a safe manner at a time that coincides with their progression through the professional program.