Clinical Simulation for Healthcare Professionals

As simulated learning experiences are increasingly used in healthcare education to enhance student engagement and experience, Clinical Simulation for Healthcare Professionals serves as a resource for the utility, design, and implementation of simulation-based education in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and nursing.

Using best practice methods, academic and clinical rehabilitation professionals of all levels will learn how to design and implement clinical simulations. These can be used as a tool for education, assessment, research, and skills integration.

Written by Drs. Audrey Zapletal, Joanne Baird, Jean Prast, Maureen Hoppe, Tracy Van Oss, and Adel Herge, Clinical Simulation for Healthcare Professionals provides comprehensive information about commonly used simulation methods including high and low technology simulations, simulated patients, task trainers, and role play. Also included are step-by-step instructions for how to build simulation experiences in a variety of settings and for various learning and teaching needs. How-to information assists instructors who want to develop and integrate simulation-based education into a new or existing curriculum.

The example simulations inside represent an array of different practice and focus uses. Each stage of the simulation is addressed from creation to learning assessment to debriefing.

Simulation integrates the worlds of education, health professions, and the performing arts within a singular enriching experience. Clinical Simulation for Healthcare Professionals fulfills a need for educators looking to develop the skills needed to create complex and dynamic learning environments.

Audrey L. Zapletal, OTD, OTR/L, CLA is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University. She serves as the Director for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at the East Falls campus. She received her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University’s Sargent College, her master’s degree from Thomas Jefferson University, and her occupational therapy doctorate from the University of Southern California’s Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Her clinical experiences vary from pediatric private practice, early intervention, and intensive care nurseries/homes to adult-based medical settings. Her teaching experiences include foundational course work such as neuroanatomy to pediatric and adult interventions courses, program development, and leadership. She received the Fred and Sadye Abrams Award for Excellence in Laboratory Teaching from Thomas Jefferson University. Her current research interests include the use of simulation in health professional education, interprofessional education, and cultural compatibility professional development training for faculty, staff, administrators, and students. She has written publications and presentations focused on best practice in andragogy, including instructional design, and on the use of simulation in occupational therapy education at national and international venues.

Joanne M. Baird, PhD, OTR/L, CHSE, FAOTA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California, and returned to the University of Pittsburgh to receive her doctorate in Rehabilitation Science. Her clinical background includes extensive experience with the mental health and pediatric and geriatric populations across the health care continuum in a variety of national and regional sites. Dr. Baird is a Fellow with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and has received numerous teaching awards. She is a certified health care simulation educator, and her research interests include experiential learning and the use of simulation to promote clinical reasoning in graduate education. She developed the simulation curricula for entry-level and post-professional clinical education in occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, serves as a simulation consultant for prelicensure rehabilitation programs, and is a nationally invited speaker for simulation education and development. She has examined the use of near-peer facilitation in occupational therapy graduate programs.

Tracy Van Oss, DHSc, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, CHSE is a Clinical Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University. Dr. Van Oss received a Doctor of Health Science degree from Nova Southeastern University, a master’s degree in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communication from Southern Connecticut State University, and has a degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. Her credentials also include being a Community Health Education Specialist (CHES), and she has earned the AOTA Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification (SCEM). She received the AOTA International Service Award in 2020. She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) and incorporates simulation and other experiential experiences into the occupational therapy curriculum. Dr. Van Oss is a Fellow with AOTA and has numerous publications and presentations.

Maureen M. Hoppe, EdD, MA, OTR/L, CPAM, CHSE is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at the College of Saint Mary. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University, her master’s degree in Health Education from the University of Nebraska in Omaha, as well as her doctorate in Education with a focus in health professions at the College of Saint Mary. Dr. Hoppe also obtained a graduate certificate of specialization in gerontology from University of Nebraska Omaha. She has clinical experience in a variety of practice settings, including inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Hoppe is a certified health care simulation educator with research interests in interprofessional education, clinical simulation, and experiential learning to enhance student learning and preparation for transition to practice. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on clinical simulation in health profession education and fieldwork preparation.

Jean E. Prast, OTD, MSOT, OTRL, CHSE is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at Saginaw Valley State University. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy from Saginaw Valley State University, and her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She has clinical experience in a variety of settings, including inpatient acute care, outpatient, primary care, and community-based practice. Her specialty areas include neurology, program development, fieldwork education, simulation, and interprofessional education and practice. She is a certified health care simulation educator and currently serves as the Interprofessional Education Coordinator for the College of Health and Human Services. She is actively involved in the development and implementation of simulations and interprofessional education in the college, occupational therapy curriculum, and community. Her research interests include interprofessional education, simulation, and transformative learning to facilitate professional growth in preparation for practice. She has published and presented on the topic of interprofessional education and simulation at national and international levels.

E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA is Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. She is Director of the BSMS Occupational Therapy Program on the Center City campus and Program Coordinator for the BS-OTD Program on the East Falls campus. Dr. Herge received her bachelor’s in Special Education/Elementary Education from Cabrini College, her certificate in Occupational Therapy and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University, and her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University. When the University Simulation Program was expanded to include health professions students, Dr. Herge served as Director of Health Professions Simulation and supported faculty as they developed, implemented, and evaluated simulation in graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and radiological sciences for couples and families. She continues to integrate simulation in her course work with undergraduate and graduate students and serves as lead faculty for an interprofessional simulation program. Dr. Herge is a Fellow with AOTA.