Paramedic students’ confidence and satisfaction with clinical simulations of an emergency medical care programme in South Africa: A cross-sectional study
Sandy, Peter; Meyer, John; Oduniyi, Oluwaseun; Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Azwihangwisi Helen
Background: There has been an increase in the use of clinical simulations as instructional
tools in healthcare education. This is because of their role in ensuring patients’ safety
and quality-care provision.
Aim: This study investigated the paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in the
clinical simulation of an emergency medical care programme.
Setting: The study was conducted at the Durban University of Technology in the KwaZulu-
Natal Province of South Africa. The paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in the
clinical simulation of an emergency medical care programme were the focus of the study.
Methods: The study used a cross-sectional research design. A convenience sampling method
was used to select the 83-paramedic students who participated in the study. Data were collected
between July and September 2017 using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics
(frequencies and percentages and Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient) and an
inferential test, ordinal logistic regression analysis, were used for data analysis.
Results: High levels of paramedic students’ satisfaction and self-confidence in simulation activities
were reported. Generally, the paramedic students’ demographics were associated with the
satisfaction and self-confidence variables with p-values ≤ 0.04. Emergency medical care training
undertaken by the paramedic students was significantly associated with self-confidence (p = 0.00).
Conclusion: Clinical simulation can bridge the theory-practice gap for paramedic students.
It is a hands-on approach that promotes students learning of clinical skills through reflection.
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