Experiences and perceptions of primary health care students utilizing simulation laboratories

Date
2011-12
Authors
Nel, Natalie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Simulation refers to a teaching method that is used to teach students clinical skills. The use of mannequins is the most common type of simulation. Given the pivotal role that simulation plays in teaching students clinical skills, it is important to understand the experience and perceptions students have utilizing simulation laboratories. The aim of the study was to explore the experience and perceptions of primary health care students utilizing simulation laboratories. The researcher posed the following research question as a guide for this study: “What are the experiences and perceptions of primary health care students utilizing simulation laboratories?” A qualitative approach with a phenomenological research design was applied. A purposive sample of n=10 and a focus group of 7 participants was drawn from a total population of 232 primary health care students. An interview guide was designed based on the objectives of the study and validated by experts in Nursing, Education and the Ethics Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University. Experts in the field of teaching and learning, nursing and research methodology were consulted to determine the feasibility and content of the study, to evaluate the research process and outcome. Two (2) trained fieldworkers were responsible for collecting the data. Data was collected by means of individual interviews and by interviewing a focus group. The transcription of the interviews was done by the researcher. The data that emerged from the data analysis was coded and categorised into themes and subthemes. The five themes that emerged were simulation as a teaching method; a mannequin offering effective learning; confidence in clinical practice; structure of the course; and a support system. The researcher compiled a written account of the interpretations that emerged from the data analysis and verified this with the fieldworkers. In addition, member checking was done on two (2) of the participants from the focus group as well as two (2) of the participants from the individual interviews, to validate the transcribed data. The Conceptual Theoretical Framework of Bloom supports the findings of this study. The findings suggest that the mannequins should be upgraded regularly and should be able to register a response. It is recommended that a mannequin should be designed which is computer programmed according to different conditions which will include the signs and symptoms of those diseases for example tuberculosis. The participants need to be placed in the clinical environment at a much earlier stage in their programme. Peer group teaching and assessment should be introduced in the programme. Further research is recommended since institutions and disciplinaries working with simulation were not included in the study.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Simulasie verwys na ’n onderrigmetode wat gebruik word om studente kliniese vaardighede aan te leer. Die gebruik van mannekyne is die mees algemene vorm van simulasie. Gegee die deurslaggewende rol wat simulasie speel in die onderrig van kliniese vaardighede aan studente, is dit belangrik om die ervaring en persepsies van studente wat gebruik maak van simulasie-laboratoriums, te wete te kom. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ervaring en persepsies van primêre gesondheidssorgstudente wat van simulasie-laboratoriums gebruik maak, te ondersoek. Die navorser het die volgende navorsingsvraag as ’n riglyn vir hierdie studie gestel: “Wat is die ervaringe en persepsies van primêre gesondheidssorgstudente wat simulasielaboratoriums gebruik?” ’n Kwalitatiewe benadering met ’n fenomenologiese navorsingsontwerp is toegepas. ’n Doelbewuste steekproef van n=10 en ’n fokusgroep van 7 deelnemers is geneem vanuit ’n totale bevolking van 232 primêre gesondheidsorgstudente. ’n Onderhoudgids is ontwerp, gebaseer op die doelwitte van die studie en gevalideer deur kundiges in Verpleging, Opvoedkunde en die Etiese Komitee van die Fakulteit van Gesondheidswetenskappe aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Kundiges op die gebied van onderrig en leer, verpleging en navorsingsmetodologie is geraadpleeg om die haalbaarheid en inhoud van die studie te bepaal vir die evaluering van die navorsingsprosedure en uitkomste. Twee (2) opgeleide veldwerkers was verantwoordelik om die data te versamel. Die data was versamel deur middel van individuele onderhoude en ‘n onderhoud met ‘n fokus groep. Die onderhoude was getranskribeer deur die navorser. Die data wat uit die analise gekom het, is geënkodeer en gekategoriseer in temas en subtemas. Die vyf temas wat hieruit voortgespruit het, is simulasie as ’n onderrigmetode; ’n mannekyn wat effektiewe leer bied; vertroue in die kliniese praktyk; die struktuur van die kursus; en ’n ondersteuningssisteem. Die navorser het ’n geskrewe verslag saamgestel van die weergawe van die data-analise wat saamgestel en deur die veldwerker geverifieer is. Bykomend is die kontrole van lede van twee (2) van die deelnemers van die fokusgroep, asook twee (2) van die deelnemers vanuit die individuele onderhoude gedoen, om die getranskribeerde data se geldigheid te verklaar. Die Konseptuele Teoretiese Raamwerk van Bloom rugsteun die bevindinge van hierdie studie. Die bevindinge beveel aan dat die mannekyne gereeld opgegradeer behoort te word en dat hulle ’n respons moet kan registreer. Dit word aanbeveel dat ’n mannekyn ontwerp behoort te word wat rekenaar geprogrammeerd is volgens die verskillende toestande wat die tekens en simptome van siektes soos tuberkulose insluit. Die deelnemers behoort in ’n baie vroeë stadium van die program in die kliniese omgewing geplaas te word. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel, aangesien inrigtings en dissiplines wat met simulasie gemoeid is, nie in hierdie studie ingesluit is nie.
Description
Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
Keywords
Primary health care, Simulation laboratories, Clinical skills, Dissertations -- Nursing, Theses -- Nursing
Citation