Date Approved
7-8-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy (M.S.)
Degree Program
Occupational Science and Therapy
First Advisor
Ashley McKnight, DrOT, OTRL, ATC
Second Advisor
Courtney Martin, MS OTRL
Third Advisor
Lexi Rau, MS OTRL
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
The most recent estimate of the annual incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States is approximately 54 cases per one million people. Occupational therapy (OT) students may not feel adequately prepared to treat and educate clients with SCIs about bladder management if they are not exposed to real-life scenarios during their graduate curriculum. Using high-fidelity simulations (HFS) offers a high level of interactivity and realism for the learner, often using human patient simulators and taking place in realistic, mock clinical settings. This study aims to examine the effects of a HFS on OT student's confidence with urinary catheterization. Subjects (n=35) were first-year OT students recruited based on their participation in high-fidelity catheterization simulation. Participants completed the validated survey 'Student Satisfaction and Confidence in Learning' after completion of the HFS to reflect on their satisfaction with the simulation and confidence in performing catheterization on manikins. This study revealed two themes, including a greater need for OT services for individuals performing self-catheterization and incorporating HFSs into the graduate curriculum. Student satisfaction was rated extremely high, with all but 3% of the responses being either ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree.’ Additionally, the responses to the statements regarding confidence showed heavy skewness, with an overwhelming majority of respondents answering ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree.’ Responses from 35 OT graduate students suggest that learning the procedure for urinary catheterization is highly beneficial in increasing confidence levels, and high-fidelity catheterization simulations should be integrated into the OT curriculum.
ScholarWorks Citation
Blaney, Haley; Schonhard, Reagan; Spring, Maddie; Eads, Rachael; and Donahue, Claire, "The Impact of High-Fidelity Urinary Catheterization Simulation on Occupational Therapy Students in a Graduate Curriculum: A Pilot Study" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 585.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/585
