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Dynamic Adaptations: Assessing The Integration Of Standardized Patients In Physical Therapist Assistant Education, Pamela Pologruto, Jennifer Jewell, Laura Cruz

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of standardized patients in the physical therapist assistant (PTA) curriculum as compared to paper-based case studies with regard to reaching higher order thinking in preparation for the clinical environment. Methods: Thirty-five participants were divided into 2 groups to participate in a discussion of a paper case scenario or engage with a standardized patient. Following the interaction, the students completed a survey related to their perceptions of the interventions along with open-ended questions intended to gain insight into application of clinical reasoning skills used during their respective intervention. Results: The …