Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Abrupt Educational Switch: Impact Of Covid-19 And Lessons Learned For Health Science Faculty And Students, Kathleen Klein, Marylou Galantino, Tara Crowell, Renne Cavazza

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The abrupt educational transition from in-class to virtual instruction during spring of 2020 found many faculty and students in uncharted territory. The purpose of this study was to survey both faculty and students in the School of Health Sciences to better understand the switch from face-to-face instruction to remote learning. Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected regarding this experience. The first task was to identify faculty’s responses and actions taken, perception of alternative teaching experience and impact on student learning, determine needs to prepare and address new course design and delivery, and explore perception of changes to …

Preparedness Of Doctor Of Athletic Training (Dat) Credentialed Athletic Trainers To Take Roles In Academia, Andrew J. Schweitzer, Matthew J. Rivera, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Lindsey E. Eberman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The athletic training education landscape is shifting, which has opened new avenues for postprofessional education. Previous literature has investigated stakeholder perceptions and attitudes towards hiring a DAT degree holder in academia. Yet, there is no research investigating the experiences of DAT degree holders in academic roles. The purpose of this study was to explore the preparation and experiences of DAT degree holders related to their roles in academia. Methods: We used a consensual qualitative research design to explore the lived experiences of DAT degree holders in academia through semi-structured web-based interviews. Twelve DAT degree holders with at least …

Comparing Two Methods Of Clinical Supervision, Heather K. Anderson, Sandra Hayes, Julie P. Smith, Stephanie Currie

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of clinical supervision, remote and in-person, in group speech-language therapy in a university-based outpatient clinic, in terms of student clinical behaviors that occur with each method. Clinical supervision is an essential part of graduate education programs in speech-language pathology and clinical supervisors in university-based speech and hearing clinics often employ remote supervision. The professional literature concerning the impact of remote supervision on student clinical behaviors is limited. The studies found advantages and disadvantages to in-person and remote supervision and no real preference for one method was noted by participants. …

Relationship Between Allied Health Student's Behavioral Style And Ideal Clinical Instructor Behaviors, Tonya Y. Miller, Robert Creath, Eva M. Frank, Lori Portzer, Jennifer Price

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The focus of this research is to understand the relationship between students' primary DISC behavioral styles (dominant, influencing, steadiness, compliance) and their perception of ideal clinical instructor behaviors. A review of the literature supports the connection between the behaviors of the clinical instructor (CI) and the success of the allied health professional student (AHPS). Additionally, a body of research supports the connection between DISC behavioral styles and student success. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between AHPS primary DISC behavioral styles and their perception of the ideal CI behaviors. Methods: A total number …

Development Of A Micro-Credential Curriculum: The Interprofessional Dementia Caregiving Telehealth Community Practicum Badge, Susan L. Wenker, Chinh Kieu, Tracy Schroepfer, Kristen Felten, Kathleen Smith, Hossein Khalili

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Informal dementia caregiving by family caregivers is a crucial component of the care provided to people living with dementia (PLwD). The numbers of these family caregivers are rapidly increasing at a time, when in the U.S., the availability of formal caregivers is decreasing. Currently, health professional training focuses on providing care to PLwD and not necessarily addressing the caregiver’s needs, and this training takes place within professional silos and not interprofessionally. This study sought to address this issue by: 1) examining the current state of interprofessional dementia caregiving trainings in the US; and 2) developing a micro-credential curriculum called …

Burnout And Adverse Outcomes In Athletic Training Students: Why All Healthcare Educators Should Be Concerned, Ashlyne P. Elliott, Andrew Gallucci, Leslie Oglesby, Leslee Funderburk, Beth A. Lanning, Sara Tomek

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Burnout is linked to various adverse outcomes (i.e., thoughts of dropout, depression, unprofessional behaviors) in healthcare students (i.e., nursing students, medical students). However, potential adverse outcomes associated with burnout in athletic training students, a subset of healthcare students, have yet to be identified. Objective: To adapt a previously tested theoretical model to explore relationships between student workload, burnout, and potential adverse outcomes in a sample of graduate athletic training students. Methods: An online survey assessing the variables of interest and study information was sent to program directors of graduate-level athletic training programs at their publicly accessible email addresses with …

Preparing Faculty Using An Assessment For How Clinical Laboratory Students Learn, Maryanne Stewart, Ronette Chojnacki

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students interpret and learn information in different ways. Whether students develop deep or surface learning depends in large part on the transmission of information from their educator, which activates their domains of learning. Knowing students’ learning styles as either visual, auditory, psychomotor, or mixed, professors can develop teaching resources that benefit the learning diversity of their students by using different instructional delivery methods. This study examines survey results for how students learn best to enhance the student experience within the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program at a university in Detroit, MI, USA. Method: To determine the resources needed …

Speaking Up In Healthcare: An Exploration Of The Allied Health New Graduate Workforce, Philippa M. Friary, Suzanne C. Purdy Prof, Lindy Mcallister, Mark Barrow Assoc Prof, Rachelle Martin

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: All healthcare workers are responsible for patient safety and quality improvement and need to “speak up” to communicate issues. As healthcare systems strain under the impact of reduced staffing and workloads increase, allied health new graduates are feeling under pressure and unsupported. Understanding their experiences of speaking up as they transition into the workforce will identify what support they require to fulfil their patient safety and quality improvement responsibilities. Method: An exploratory study was conducted to investigate how new graduates in allied health speak up. Informed by a realist theoretical position, this study was interested in what contexts and …

An Examination Of Emotional Resilience Among Athletic Trainers Working In The Secondary School Setting, Shaine Henert, William Pitney, Bethany Wood, Nicholas E. Grahovec, Tyler A. Wood

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Athletic training is a demanding profession that is a stressor for many practitioners. Emotional resilience allows Athletic Trainers (ATs) to persist in their roles and benefit from long and successful careers. The purpose of this study was to explore the level of emotional resilience of ATs working in secondary school settings and identify factors perceived to contribute to or mitigate one's emotional resilience. Method: A sequential explanatory mixed-method design using a cross-sectional online survey followed by in-depth interviews was used to gather information from 160 (16% response rate) secondary school NATA members - 97 (60.6%) female; 63 (39.4%) male …

Case-By-Collaboration: An Adaptable Soft Skills-Based Educational Model For Health Disciplines, Elizabeth Gockel Blessing, Tyler A. Wood, Nicholas E. Grahovec

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was two-fold and consisted of the development of a skills-based model for Case-by-Collaboration (CBC) and the collection of qualitative data from students and teachers aimed at answering the research question: What skills do individuals (students) apply during the completion of a hypothetical medical laboratory management-based Case-by-Collaboration capstone project? Method: A consensual qualitative research design was selected for this study. Students and their instructors from three Medical Laboratory Science programs located in Texas, New York, and Missouri were recruited. Students were given a case that centers on the fictitious Cheapskate Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). The …

The Clinical Reasoning Assessment Tool For Learning From Standardized Patient Experiences: A Pilot Study, Mary A. Riopel, Sara Benham, Jennifer Landis, Stephanie Falcone, Sarah Harvey

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical reasoning (CR) is the ability to integrate the knowledge of diagnoses with the use of supporting theories to create effective, client-centered interventions. One means of teaching CR to rehabilitation students is using standardized patient (SP) experiences. The relationship between faculty and student CR ratings after SP experiences has not been researched. The purpose of the study was to determine if there would be correlations between physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) student and faculty ratings of CR skills after an SP experience. Method: The Clinical Reasoning Assessment Tool (CRAT) was used by students to self-reflect on their …

Assessment And Diagnostic Practices Relating To Autism Spectrum Disorder In The United States And Mexico, Maria Valdez, Jessica R. Stewart, Wan-Lin Chang, Ruth Crutchfield, Ralph Carlson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The present study examined and compared professional assessment and diagnostic practices relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Mexico and the United States (U.S.). This information is of great importance because there is an extremely limited amount of information pertaining the assessment and diagnostic practices for ASD in Mexico and little is known about how these practices compare to those in the U.S. Methods: Archival data from a survey investigating ASD in the U.S. and Mexico was used for this study. Participants included 29 professionals from the U.S. and 7 professionals from Mexico. Professionals were from a variety of …

Quality Delivered: How A Pandemic Fostered Innovation And Creative Solutions In Clinical Education, Alice M. Davis, Laura Laporta, Nancy F. Mulligan, Stacy Carmel, Shelene Thomas, Denise O'Dell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Clinical education placements for students enrolled in healthcare programs were abruptly upended in March 2020 due to COVID-19. Programs were faced with decisions of how to mitigate substantive challenges due to an unforeseen pandemic within timeframes that would align with curricular sequences and graduation dates. Schools quickly modified curriculum formats, implemented alternative teaching and learning instruction and developed safety protocols to protect students, clinical faculty, and patients. Purpose: The aim of this study explored the strategies employed by one physical therapy school’s clinical education team, which resulted in successful completion of clinical course requirements and on-time graduation. Method: Data …

Development, Implementation, And Delivery Of A Remote Burnout Prevention Elective Course In An Accelerated Doctor Of Pharmacy Program During Covid-19, Melissa Santibanez, Jonathon May, Paul M. Boylan, Andrea Duque, Taylor Harris

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There is limited evidence describing burnout among graduate health professions students, including pharmacy students, and there is a need for educational institutions to mitigate burnout and promote future healthcare provider wellness. Methods: A burnout prevention elective course was developed within an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program. Course faculty transitioned from live to fully remote instruction in April 2020. The modified course format combined discussion-based lectures, burnout self-assessments, reflective writing assignments, and applications-based presentations. Results: Twenty-one second-year pharmacy students completed the elective, and 13 completed post-course evaluations (61.9% response rate). Evaluations indicated substantial student support, with 92.3% “strongly agree” and …

A Survey Of Human Gross Anatomy Laboratories In Dpt Programs Across The United States, Katy Mitchell, Christina Bickley, Angela Leis, Amy Tsang

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to 1) describe the current teaching methodology used in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) human gross anatomy (HGA) labs, 2) examine the demographics and perceptions of HGA instructors and compare responses based on years of experience, 3) determine the utilization and instructor perceptions related to cadaver dissection and other methods of instruction, and 4) determine which safety/security protocols are used in HGA laboratories. Method: All DPT programs (N=250) in the United States (US) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) were eligible to participate. The anonymous, 89-item online survey …

Using The Unfolding Case Study To Improve Clinical Reasoning, Greg Williams, Sara L. Nottingham

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Context: When authentic clinical experiences are unavailable, instructors may need to consider alternatives for evaluating clinical reasoning. Objective: Describe an educational technique that simulates clinical experiences to allow students to demonstrate clinical reasoning. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created a situation where providing clinical experiences became impossible. Yet, students still needed to exercise clinical judgement as part of their athletic training education program. The unfolding case study technique aligns well with Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning and can be used to help students improve clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. Description: An unfolding case study was used to …

The Rationale Behind And Impact Of One Hospital’S Provision Of Secondary School Athletic Training Services: A Five-Year Case Study, Caroline E. Faure Edd; Atc

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Sports-related injuries are common and often require physician or hospital care. Since the advent of concussion laws in fifty states, hospitals across the country have come forward to partner with secondary schools in the provision of sports medicine healthcare. The outreach agreements are consistent: Hospitals hire athletic trainers (ATs) and then outsource them to schools. ATs help mitigate risk in sports programs. Onsite at the schools daily, ATs provide immediate evaluation and treatment for injuries that occur and render decisions regarding the appropriateness of an injured athlete’s return to participation. The goal of this case study was to describe …

Assessing Burnout And Resiliency In Online Degree Advancement Respiratory Care Students During A Pandemic, Kristen L. Mchenry, Thomas J. Wing, Jody Lester, Lanny Inabnit, Yong Gao

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the presence of burnout in online degree advancement Respiratory Care students during a pandemic and characteristics/strategies of resiliency. Method: The design of the study was quantitative; non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional survey research. The Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were used to measure these constructs. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine (129) students completed components of the survey for a response rate of approximately 28%. Relevant findings include a somewhat higher level of depersonalization for those who practice in adult acute care. Emotional exhaustion …

Admission Variables Predict Success In A Hybrid-Online Physical Therapist Education Program, Evan M. Pucillo, Rossniel Marinas, Christine Salmon, Vibhor Agrawal

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Screening student applicants can be a valuable measure for hybrid-online Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.Institutions embrace a wide variety of measurements that drive admissions decisions. However, uncertainties exist regarding the most accurate admission predictors of academic outcomes, especially among hybrid-online DPT programs. The purpose of this study was to examine predictive relationships between applicants’ admission variables and program grade point average and National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) performance in a cohort of entry-level hybrid-online DPT students. Methods: A retrospective cohort design and convenience sampling method was used across two entry-level hybrid-online DPT programs in the Southeastern US. Hybrid-online …

The Effect Of Instructor-To-Student Ratios, Academic Preparation, And Selective Admissions On Retention Rates Among Caahep Accredited Paramedic Training Programs., Justin G. Tilghman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study was a non-experimental evaluative study designed to identify the effects of instructor-to-student ratios, academic preparation, and selective admissions processes on retention rates among CAAHEP accredited paramedic training programs in the United States. Methods: Self-reported data from accredited program directors was analyzed to identify what relationships, if any, existed among the variables. Results: Results showed no effect of instructor-to-student ratios or academic preparation on retention rates. However, those programs that utilized selective admissions processes reported a statistically significantly higher student retention rate when compared to those that did not. Conclusions: Paramedic programs seeking to improve retention rates …

Impact Of Pro Bono Clinic On Attitudes, Beliefs, And Confidence Towards Cultural Competence In First-Year Doctoral Physical Therapy Students, Scarlett Morris, Ruiping Xia, Troy Klaassen, Trey Johnson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Cultural competence is an essential skill for healthcare providers in our increasingly ethnically diversified society. There is an unmet need for educating future culturally competent physical therapists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of pro bono clinic on cultural competence in first-year doctoral physical therapy students. Method: Forty-two participants completed a survey before and after attending three individual sessions of mentored pro bono clinical experiences during their first semester. The survey assessed participants’ attitudes and beliefs (Part I), and self-perceived level of confidence (Part II) towards cultural competence. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed. Results: The …

A Student Physical Therapist’S Perspective On Her Efficacy Providing Culturally Competent Care: A Reflective Case Study, Anna S. Kelly, Deborah M. Wendland

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Cultural differences and personal biases can affect the way a clinician provides care and the way in which patients receive it. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) designates cultural competence as one of the professional practice expectations for physical therapy students, although no standardized blueprint exists for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. This case report will illustrate how reflection can be used to facilitate a student’s growth into becoming more prepared to practice in a culturally aware and effective way. In addition, this report seeks to provide a student’s perspective on her efficacy providing culturally …

Infusing A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (Cure) Into An Allied Health Curriculum, Deborah A. Johnson, Beverly J. Barham, Susan R. Franzen

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Infusion of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) into an existing research design course in an applied science curriculum allowed medical laboratory science students (n=22) to each be a contributing team member in a hand’s-on research experience, where most of the work was completed during the class time on campus. This design allowed for equal access, an equitable experience, and inclusion of all students enrolled in the course. Methods: Students and instructors worked together to develop a research question. The group agreed that the research question would be to determine the number of environmental specimens that were …

Do Learning And Study Strategies Predict Success In Hybrid-Online Physical And Occupational Therapist Education?, Evan M. Pucillo, Ellen Lowrie Black

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: An understanding of the learning strategies most accurately predictive of success has become increasingly important as health professional education programs scale the utilization of online learning in the wake of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive relationship between The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and cumulative professional GPA (cpGPA) in hybrid-online physical (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) education. Methods: A convenience sample collected N=149 entry-level PT and OT students from three campuses across Florida, Texas, and California. A total N(%) of 89(59.7%) PT and 60(40.3%) OT students were included for analysis [48(32.2%) male; …

How To Be An Effective Athletic Training Preceptor: A Literature Review, Daniella C. Eiroa Dat, Lat, Atc, Jeff G. Konin Phd, Atc, Pt, Facsm, Fnata

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: The purpose of this literature review is to identify successful characteristics that have been found to be associated with effective precepting for the athletic training profession. Athletic training programs use preceptors as their main source of hands-on experience for athletic training students. Thus, a clinical preceptor who possesses these characteristics are better positioned to impact the success of a student’s clinical experience and overall growth. Purpose: To identify successful characteristics for athletic training preceptors. Methods: The findings of the literature review were achieved by the selection of articles that specifically pertained to athletic training and to other health care …

Using Experiential Learning To Enhance Student Outcomes In A Didactic Program In Dietetics Foodservice Management Course, Michael T. Holik, Scott Heinerichs, Jena Wood

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe student perceptions of their learning following experiential learning (EL) activities in a foodservice management course. Nutrition and dietetics education programs have a range of competencies students must learn and demonstrate throughout their curriculum. Learning styles differ amongst students and research has demonstrated they prefer to engage in EL (direct experience) activities to develop their knowledge. Foodservice management is one area of the curriculum that teaches students the basic functions of management; planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and staffing related to food, materials, facilities, and human resources. While this can be taught didactically, …

Flop To Flip: Integrating Technology And Team-Based Learning To Improve Student Engagement, Diana A. Veneri, Elizabeth M. Mongillo

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The first attempt to develop and instruct a new course in evidence-based practice in a physical therapy curriculum proved problematic. The purpose of this paper is to describe the method of revising this traditionally taught course using a combination of flipping the classroom, team-based learning, and technology. Methods: Working with an Instructional Design Specialist, a weekly online preparatory module was created for each content topic using a variety of multimedia learning provisions including micro learning videos (PowerPoint with voiceover), transcript of the PowerPoint, a list of vocabulary words, reading, Quizlet, Flipgrids and Concept Checks. Each week’s module was introduced …

“Where I Am Weak, They Are Strong”: Students’ Perceptions And Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Education, Christen G. Page, Karina Christopher, Leah Shea Simpkins, Casey E. Humphrey, Lisa G. Jones, Aaron D. Sciascia

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare professionals strive for interprofessional practice to achieve optimal patient care. Extant research suggests that to best prepare students for interprofessional practice, interprofessional education (IPE) should be a key element in curriculum. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to evaluate the impact of an IPE activity on participants’ attitudes and perceptions of IPE across five academic programs. Methods: This study utilized a modified version of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale Questionnaire (RIPLS) pre and post IPE and reflective essays. Participants included 67 students from nursing, occupational therapy, athletic training, dietetics, and speech-language pathology programs. After reviewing a …

Making It Work For Everyone: Developing Flexible Digital Clinical Communication Modules For Health Disciplines In An Australian Context, Nayia Cominos, Kerry Thoirs, Rowena Harper, Giordana Cross, Megan Cooper

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This paper discusses an innovative multi-disciplinary approach to the development and evaluation of flexible, digital clinical communication learning resources to support students in twelve health disciplines to develop clinical communication skills in preparation for their clinical placements. Methods: A modified Delphi survey was sent to all stakeholders in the Division of Health Sciences to identify the most important communication skills from the list of 61 communication skills identified by Bachmann et al in 2013. Lecturers, clinical educators, clinicians, and students were invited to rate the importance of each skill. Results: A set of digital resources was created for teaching …

Interprofessional Education At A Distance: The Hybrid Interprofessional Education Model, Melissa J. Lazinski, Lynda Ross, Suzanne Wolf, Megan Finck, Lance Cherry

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) is a critical component of health professions education but planning and implementation are challenged by logistical, physical, personnel, and recently global pandemic COVID-19 barriers. Purpose: This report describes the development and design of the proposed Hybrid Interprofessional Education (HIPE) model, a blended learning IPE model developed to mitigate barriers using a flexible framework and online collaborative technologies to deliver experiences based on Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies. Operational principles, model design, an example of model implementation, and outcomes are reported. Method: Fifty-four student physical therapists and physician assistants attending remote campuses of the same university …