Knowledge and perception of physiotherapy students and lecturers about the involvement of simulated patients in clinical examinations at physiotherapy training institutions in South-West, Nigeria

Odole, Adesola C, Odunaiya, Nse A, Ojo, Omoniyi S, Fatoye, Francis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3502-3953, Mbada, Chidozie E ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3666-7432, Fatoye, Clara F, Fafolahan, Abiola O and Akinpelu, Aderonke O (2024) Knowledge and perception of physiotherapy students and lecturers about the involvement of simulated patients in clinical examinations at physiotherapy training institutions in South-West, Nigeria. Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy, 29 (1). 77. ISSN 1110-6611

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Abstract

Background: Medical educators in Nigeria are beginning to incorporate the use of simulated patients (SPs) in clinical examinations. This study was designed to investigate and compare the knowledge and perception of physiotherapy students and lecturers about the involvement of SPs in clinical examinations at physiotherapy training institutions in South-West, Nigeria. Methods: This study used a mixed-method approach, combining cross-sectional analysis and focus group discussions. A validated questionnaire assessed the knowledge and perception of physiotherapy students and lecturers regarding SP involvement in clinical exams. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Mann–Whitney U tests (p < 0.05). Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Two hundred and seven clinical students (83 males, 124 females, average age 22.02 ± 1.65 years) and 37 physiotherapy lecturers (25 males, 12 females, average age 48.27 ± 7.49 years) participated in this study. Among the students, 151 were aware of SP involvement in clinical exams: 35.1% had poor knowledge, 53.0% had fair knowledge, and 11.9% had good knowledge. The majority of lecturers (70.3%) demonstrated good knowledge. Most students (147, 71.0%) and lecturers (32, 86.5%) had positive perceptions of SP involvement in exams. Qualitative analysis indicated insufficient training for SPs in clinical examinations at physiotherapy training institutions in South-West Nigeria. Reported drawbacks included a preference for using models, familiarity with SPs, and limitations in the conditions that SPs can simulate. Conclusion: Physiotherapy students at physiotherapy training institutions in South-West Nigeria had fair knowledge about the involvement of SPs in clinical examinations while lecturers had good knowledge about the involvement of SPs in clinical examinations. However, both students and lecturers had a positive perception about the involvement of SPs in clinical examinations though the concept of SPs should be differentiated from the use of models.