Do Standardized Patients Improve Professional Athletic Training Students Confidence and Clinical Skill Set?: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenario: Athletic training (AT) students’ professional preparation include multiple opportunities for hands-on opportunities both in the classroom and clinical setting. Standardized patients (SPs) can also be a contribution for hands-on opportunities when there isn’t enough exposure in the classroom or clinical setting.

Clinical Question: Do Standardized Patients Improve Professional Athletic Training Students Confidence and Clinical Skill Set?

Summary of Key Findings: A computerized search was conducted on standardized patients and how they affect athletic training students’ confidence and clinical skill set. Three studies discussing the use of standardized patients in professional athletic training programs were included. One study used athletic training students and nursing students to identify interprofessional skills and communication. 2 studies used SPs just within athletic training programs with one measuring AT student’s past experiences with SPs and the other study measuring ATs perceptions using SPs via Telemedicine.

Clinical Bottom Line: The evidence suggests that SP encounters improve AT students’ clinical skills and confidence. SPs allows for students to get exposure to certain skills or situations they may not have been exposed to during clinical education.

Strength of Recommendation: Based on the JBI Checklist for Qualitative Research all three articles should be included in this study.