Case Study - Scaffolding clinical decision-making using interactive patient scenarios
| Title of case study/example of best practice: | Scaffolding clinical decision-making using interactive patient scenarios. |
| Lead Author(s): | Catherine Collin |
| Co-authors: | N/A |
| University: | University of Central Lancashire |
| Lead Author email address: | CCollin1@uclan.ac.uk |
| Details of the activity undertaken | |
| Clinical skills, visual function, ocular examination, pathology & refraction analysis were scaffolded and integrated in interactive patient scenarios created using “Thing-link” which contains hotspots of patient audio, video, images, and text. Role-play was used to practice communication skills and students were encouraged to use additional resources to fill gaps in their knowledge and reflect from the patient’s perspective. The sessions were facilitated by a supervisor who used the diamond debrief approach, which was adapted for two different year groups of optometry students at different stages of Millers pyramid to build on the theory of knows/knows how. At the end of session, students completed a reflective piece of writing. The patient scenario can be adapted to address different elements of clinical practice and ethics. | |
| Impact of the activity | |
| Engagement, critical thinking, and interpretation skills were demonstrated by both groups and anonymised feedback showed the students felt the sessions helped to bridge theory with patient interaction in a 'safe' setting and also allowed effective collaboration between small groups of students. It was also possible to assess skills such as communication, standards of practice, legal and ethical responsibilities by targeting the debrief questions to the level of Miller’s pyramid required for the students’ level of training. Feedback supported the use of structured case-based simulations early in the optometry curriculum to develop the behaviours required of an optometrist. | |
| This case study relates to the following GOC outcomes: | |
Outcome 1. Person Centred Care ☒Outcomes O1.2, O1.7, O1.8 Scaffolding/Student experience & engagement ☐ | |