Computer-Based Simulations Enhance Clinical Experience of Dietetics Interns - 05/09/11

Doi : 10.1016/S0002-8223(00)00059-6

R.ELAINE TURNER, PhD, RD ^a,⁎, WILLIAM D EVERS, PhD, RD ^b, OLIVIA BENNETT WOOD, MPH, RD ^b, JAMES D LEHMAN, PhD ^b, LOUISE W PECK, PhD, RD ^c
^a R.E. Turner is an assistant professor in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville. At the time of this study, she was a graduate student in the Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. USA
^b W. D. Evers is an associate professor and cooperative extension specialist and O. B. Wood is an associate professor and director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics in the Department of Foods and Nutrition, and J. D. Lehman is a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Purdue University, USA
^c L. W. Peck is an assistant professor and program director of the General Dietetics Option in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Washington State University, Pullman, USA

^*Address correspondence to: R. Elaine Turner, PhD, RD, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, 359 FSHN Bldg, Gainesville, FL 32611-0370.

Abstract

Objective To determine the impact of computer-based simulations on the performance of dietetics interns in initial clinical rotations.

Design Interns used either a simulation program (Care Planning Simulation System [CPSS]) or a computer-based tutorial (Nutrition Care Planning Tutorial [NCPT]) during their orientation. Performance of these interns on nutrition care skills was evaluated during their initial clinical rotations.

Subjects/setting Participants were 108 dietetics interns from 8 different programs. Each internship had at least 8 interns, and none of the internships awarded a graduate degree.

Intervention Subjects in the experimental group completed nutrition assessment and care planning activities for 3 simulated patients. Subjects in the control group completed a tutorial on assessment and care planning.

Main outcome measures Likert scale ratings of 31 behaviors were recorded by clinical preceptors. Behavior statements were grouped into 8 categories and average ratings for each category were determined.

Statistical analysis Repeated-measures analysis of variance and linear regression were used to compare performance ratings between groups.

Results There were no differences in overall evaluations of the simulation and tutorial groups for the 8-week period. Interns who started clinical rotations immediately after orientation (CPSS-I and NCPT-I groups) were rated lower in all categories than those who began their clinical rotations later (CPSS-D and NCPT-D groups). Maturation and acquisition of general skills likely influenced ratings of interns with delayed clinical rotations. For most categories of behavior, the rate of improvement in rating scores was greatest for interns who used CPSS.

Applications Computer-based simulations are a promising supplement to current techniques in didactic instruction and may be useful in both didactic and practice settings. Computer-based simulations can provide more varied practice experiences to didactic students and interns in preparation for more skilled entry-level positions in dietetics. J Am Diet Assoc, 2000;100:183–190.

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