The Effect of Ventriloscope Simulation Stethoscope Training on Auscultation Knowledge, Skill, and Confidence in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Students: A Longitudinal Within-Subjects Study
Youngstown State University
Summary
This longitudinal, single-cohort, within-subjects study evaluates whether sequential exposure to Ventriloscope simulation stethoscope training, delivered after traditional auscultation instruction, enhances auscultation knowledge, clinical sound recognition skill, and self-reported confidence in Physical Therapy (PT) and Athletic Training (AT) students, and whether any enhancement is retained two months after training. All participating students receive both training modalities in sequence. Knowledge, skill, and confidence are measured at five timepoints (T1-T5) across approximately five months. A qualitative component examines student perceptions of the two training modalities.
Description
Auscultation is a required clinical competency for physical therapists and athletic trainers, yet evidence-based instructional tools remain limited. Simulation stethoscopes, such as the Ventriloscope (Lecat's SimplySim, Canton, OH), pair a standard-appearing stethoscope with a wireless transmitter that delivers pre-recorded pathologic heart and lung sounds to the learner as though originating from a live patient. Prior work has shown benefit in pharmacy, paramedic, and DPT populations, but no published study has evaluated this technology in Athletic Training students, used a within-subjects lo…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Non-Probability Sample was utilized which included a sample of convenience drawn from the current cohort of YSU PT and AT graduate students. Graduate students currently enrolled in the Youngstown State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program or the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program who are concurrently receiving auscultation instruction as part of their standard curriculum. Inclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled in the YSU PT (DPT) or AT (MAT) professional program * Enrolled in Human Anatomy PHYT 8810 (PT) or Human Anatomy MAT 6908 (AT), in which auscultation instructi…
Interventions
- BehavioralTraditional Auscultation Training
Approximately 90-minute faculty-led session delivered in a skills laboratory. Components include: (1) introduction and stethoscope device orientation; (2) didactic lecture on cardiac/pulmonary anatomy, sound generation; (3) peer cardiac auscultation practice at the four standard landmarks with standard stethoscopes; (4) peer pulmonary auscultation practice with standard stethoscopes; and (6) Q\&A and wrap-up
- BehavioralVentriloscope Simulation Training
Approximately 90-minute faculty-led session delivered in the same skills laboratory by the same instructor(s) approximately two months after the traditional session. The Ventriloscope (Lecat's SimplySim, Canton, OH) pairs a standard-appearing stethoscope with a wireless transmitter; a trained faculty facilitator triggers pre-recorded pathologic sounds via remote when the student places the chest piece on a peer standardized patient. Components include: (1) device orientation; (2) three-step technique and troubleshooting instruction; (3) rotation through eight pre-programmed clinical case stations; (4) post-station faculty-facilitated debrief; and (5) Q\&A and wrap-up.
Location
- Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, Ohio