Training Hospital Readiness in Speech-Language Pathology Students through Simulation

Simulated learning environments allow students to develop technical and clinical decision-making skills in a safe and realistic setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate speech-language pathology students' perception of hospital readiness following a one-day simulation-based training day on swallowing management. Nineteen students attended the training day. Training included part-task skill learning and immersive simulated scenarios. Students were asked to complete course evaluation forms and participated in focus groups immediately after the day. Seven students participated in a further focus group after a five-week hospital placement within a month of the training day. Four students participated in a focus group after a five-week hospital placement three months after the training day. The training day was positively accepted by all students. Analyses revealed three global themes: (1) preparation for hospital environment, (2) speech-language pathology skills, and (3) impact of simulated learning environments. Students directly attributed increased confidence in working in the hospital environment and increased clinical competency to the training day. These themes continued up to three months post training. Simulated learning environments may have long lasting benefits in developing hospital readiness in speech-language pathology students.