Developing patient case simulations for teaching : experience and advice from the FORCE project

Abstract

Introduction: The use of simulation to augment clinical radiography education has been shown to be effective in developing competence and confidence in undergraduate students, but can be time consuming to develop and embed into an existing programme curriculum. FORCE, a Framework for Online Radiography Clinical Education, is a two year, EU funded project in which web based case simulations and learning resources are being developed for open access use. The FORCE project is leveraging a variety of web-based tools to develop interactive simulations. One aim of the project is to share the experience gained as guidance for those centres approaching the development of simulation for a first time. Methods: Simulated patient cases (20 diagnostic, 10 RNI and 10 therapy) are in various stages of development. Four longitudinal learning themes were identified to run through each case: i) patient care, ii) performance of the examination, iii) patient safety and radiographer responsibility; iv) image interpretation or treatment review. Video footage was shot largely from the visual perspective of the radiographer and with English audio, to facilitate learner immersion in the case. Each case was built in user friendly software that allowed incorporation of interactive learner activities to maintain interest during self-directed online learning. Development of the “framework” for holding the case simulations involved consideration of i) ethics of data collection and data sharing, ii) web hosting capacity, iii) web security, iv) virtual learning environment, v) single sign on (SSO) capacity for any learner anywhere, irrespective of individual university firewalls; vi) economic viability in an open access format. Results and Conclusion: Radiographer evaluation of three pilot cases (two diagnostic, one radionuclide imaging) was positive and constructive, validating the approaches taken. The various solutions incorporated into the project will be explained in the presentation, together with advice on optimal approaches and pitfalls to avoid if undertaking development of simulation. Funding for this study: €300,000 grant over two years awarded by the European Union for an Erasmus + strategic collaboration between: FH Campus Wien, Instituto Politecnico do Porto, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Universita ta Malta, University College Dublin, University of Suffolk, University of Western Norway.