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Table 1 Design features of the SCP in relation to the five criteria set by Rodger et al. (2010) [21]

From: Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of embedded simulation in occupational therapy clinical practice education: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Design criteria

Operationalised in the SCP by:

1. High level of authenticity for occupational therapy (OT) practice

• Development of authentic case studies and validation of case studies by external healthcare professionals

• Setting the pace and duration of the SCP to reflect a realistic timeframe for the actual clinical processes

• Conducting simulated clinical activities in authentic environments (simulated or actual practice environments)

• Providing opportunity for the students to learn through observation/role modelling and by working alongside each other

• Including and assessing a breadth of skills, knowledge and attributes rather than isolated or de-contextualised components

• Requiring individual- and group-based activity engagement by each student

• Requiring students to interview and communicate with clients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders (e.g. employers of clients in a vocational rehabilitation setting) within the client intervention process

• Using authentic clinical/professional tools and processes in developing rehabilitation/intervention plans

• Requiring students to communicate assessment results and intervention recommendations with clients and key stakeholders via clinical conferences, presentations and written reports and/or other professional documentation

• Providing students with feedback from clinical supervisors and simulated clients and other stakeholders (e.g. employers) about the quality of the rehabilitation or intervention plan, professional behaviours, communication and self-management

2. High level of complexity requiring student engagement and interaction

3. Delivered with immediacy to interaction with a real client (may be portrayed by a standardised patient) and to OT clinical placements

• Use of standardised patients/actors and practicing health professionals to enable students to interact with ‘real’ clients and professionals in the simulated practice setting

• Supervision of students by practising occupational therapists in the field and tutors with professional practice skills relevant to the SCP

4. Designed and assessed to meet OT clinical placement objectives

• Specific placement objectives and learning outcomes are pertinent to the achievement of foundational clinical practice skills

• The learning focus of this SCP is for students to develop core professional practice behaviours and skills. These core professional behaviours and skills are pertinent to all clinical practice areas and include (1) professional behaviour, (2) self-management skills, (3) co-worker communication and (4) communication skills

5. No one simulation modality can be used as a ‘stand-alone’ alternative to clinical training time

• Opportunity for students to learn through observation, role modelling and by working alongside each other whilst engaging with a variety of simulation modalities. Modalities will include use of written and video case material, standardised clients, actors and mock (role play) clinical case conferences