title: Speech-language pathology students' perceptions of a standardised patient clinic.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate speech-language pathology students' perceptions of a foundation clinical skills simulation program incorporating standardised patients (SPs) by determining if experiences with SPs decreased students' anxiety about interaction with real clients and increased confidence in clinical skills. In addition, it aimed to identify students' overall perceptions of the SP experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a pre-post design. Students who were enrolled in undergraduate and graduate speech-language pathology programs (n=175) completed a survey prior to and following the SP clinic. The survey asked questions related to levels of anxiety and confidence for clinical skills. The post-clinic survey also included questions about the use of SPs and program administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants reported decreased anxiety levels following clinic, with those of the undergraduate students at a significant level. Participants also reported significantly increased confidence in a range of clinical skills and evaluated the program positively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that inclusion of SPs into a foundation clinical skills program is perceived by students to be valuable. Further investigation is required to determine the relationship between students' perceived increase in confidence and their clinical competencies. These results will inform future simulation program development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Speech Pathology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Services, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. ae.hill@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Bronwyn J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Deborah G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Theodoros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000193:education*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires