Student Self-Efficacy Levels for Performing Clinical Skills Learned Virtually During a Pandemic

Brittany Nash, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFollow
Anita W. MItchell, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterFollow
Jian Jones, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFollow
Jeffery Etheridge, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFollow

Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore student self-efficacy for performance of clinical skills learned virtually, the effectiveness of teaching clinical skills online, the relationships between students’ feelings of self-efficacy and the performance of clinical skills, and the students’ perspectives of learning clinical skills virtually. This is a one-group mixed methods study that included twenty-one Master of Occupational Therapy students. Self-efficacy was measured using the Learning Self-Efficacy Scale (L-SES), performance was measured using an instructor-created rubric, and qualitative data was collected using open-ended questions. Students presented with higher levels of self-efficacy for range of motion (ROM) than manual muscle testing (MMT). For MMT, self-efficacy ratings in the Affective Domain were statistically significantly higher than those in the Cognitive and Psychomotor Domains. There were no relationships between L-SES scores and the physical competency exam score. Common themes identified were factors that increased self-efficacy and factors that decreased self-efficacy. This study provides foundational evidence supporting the use of multi-media resources to teach clinical skills virtually and supports online instruction as an effective method for teaching clinical skills and for promoting sufficient self-efficacy for performance of clinical skills.

Biography

Brittany Nash, PT, DPT, OTR/L, MTC is an Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, at Florida A&M University. Her areas of interest are orthopedics, hands and student learning/success.

Anita Mitchell, PhD, OTR, FAOTA is a Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Her primary areas of interest are pediatrics and student learning.

Jian Jones, PhD, OTR/L, ACSM-CEP is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Research interests include occupation, identity, mindfulness, student empowerment, and Hip-Hop pedagogy.

Jeff Etheridge, EdD, OTR/L is an Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, at Florida A&M University. His interests include mental health, professionalism education, group interventions and communication skills.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Nash, B., MItchell, A. W., Jones, J., & Etheridge, J. (2022). Student Self-Efficacy Levels for Performing Clinical Skills Learned Virtually During a Pandemic. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6 (3). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060309