Is simulation training effective in increasing clinicians’ confidence in diabetic foot ulcer management?  The Foot Ulcer Simulation Training Project — ASN Events
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Is simulation training effective in increasing clinicians’ confidence in diabetic foot ulcer management?  The Foot Ulcer Simulation Training Project (#282)

Peter A Lazzarini 1 2 , Elizabeth L Mackenroth 1 3 , Patricia M Rego 4 5 , Frances M Boyle 3 , Scott Jen 6 , Ewan M Kinnear 6 , Vanessa Ng 1 , Graham M PerryHaines 5 , Maarten C Kamp 4 7
  1. Allied Health Research Collaborative, Metro North Hospital & Health Service, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  2. School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  3. School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  4. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  5. Centre for Healthcare Improvement, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  6. Department of Podiatry, Metro North Hospital & Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  7. Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Metro North Hospital & Health Service, Brisbane, Qld, Australia

 Background

Simulation clinical training has rarely been used in the management of diabetic feet or chronic wounds.  This study aimed to investigate the effect of a mixed modality simulation training program on podiatry participants’ clinical confidence, knowledge and satisfaction in the management of foot ulcers.

Methods

Sixteen podiatrists participated in a two-day Foot Ulcer Simulation Training (FUST) course.  It included web-based interactive learning, low-fidelity part-tasks and high-fidelity full clinical scenarios.  Primary outcome measures of evaluation of the course included participants’ pre- and post completion of confidence and knowledge surveys. Participants’ satisfaction and the relevance and fidelity of a range of course elements were also investigated. 1

 

Results

An overall significant improvement in clinical confidence was observed following completion of FUST (mean scores 3.10 cf. 4.40, p < 0.05).1  Furthermore, all 22 foot ulcer competencies investigated registered significant improvements (p < 0.05).1  The lack of a significant change in pre- and post knowledge scores reflected participants’ mandatory pre-course completion of web-based components. Satisfaction, relevance and fidelity of all course elements were rated highly by participants. 1

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated the successful use of simulation in the training of foot ulcer management.  The approach has the potential to optimise training in foot ulcer care and to improve patient outcomes.   

Subsequently, 34 participants have been investigated for the same outcome measures, plus, followed up at 6 and 12 month periods after the course.  The authors are analysing the data and intend presenting the results of the longer term impacts on FUST participants’ clinical confidence and knowledge at this conference.  However, the interim results have been promising and seem to reflect improvements from the original pilot study. 

 

References

  1. Lazzarini PA, Mackenroth EL, Rego PM, Boyle FM, Jen S, Kennear EK, PerryHaines GM, Kamp MC. 2011. Is simulation training effective in increasing podiatrist’s confidence in foot ulcer manager? Journal of Foot & Ankle Research 2011, 4:16.