The use of simulation techniques in the clinical training of audiology graduate students

Abstract

Simulation is defined as a technique that mimics real-life situations in a clinical environment for the purposes of developing and enhancing clinical skills, learning to interact appropriately with patients, and practicing in a safe and secure environment (Brown, 2017; Gaba, 2004; Jeffries, 2005). Simulation is an emerging topic within the field of audiology, but little documented research exists regarding simulation in this field. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the use of simulation techniques within the field of audiology via a survey. Results of this study demonstrated that half of the participants (n=24) reported currently using simulation techniques in their audiology graduate programs while the remaining half of participants (n=24) reported currently not using simulation techniques to train their audiology graduate students. The majority of programs not using simulation expressed interest in employing simulation in their audiology programs in the future. Additionally, the majority of the program directors want to or are currently using simulation techniques in the area of counseling, specifically with standardized patients. Of the 24 audiology graduate programs currently using simulation techniques, only seven programs currently have a dedicated simulation lab, funded primarily through departmental funds and accessed via a key card or pass code. Additionally, all audiology program directors currently using simulation techniques reported that faculty and students perceive benefit related to clinical simulation training. Audiology graduate program directors who currently do not use simulation in their programs reported lack of financial resources, lack of space, and lack of time as their main barriers to implementing these techniques.