Training Students to Evaluate Preterm Infant Feeding Safety Using a Video-Recorded Patient Simulation Approach

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if brief video-recorded patient simulation training increased students' ability to assess feeding skills in preterm infants. Method: Baccalaureate-level nursing students (N = 52) and graduate-level speech-language pathology students (N = 42) were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: didactic training (N = 51) or didactic training plus video simulation (N = 43). Outcome measures included knowledge test scores, calculated clinical judgment scores, and clinical marker documentation accuracy. Results: Students' knowledge increased as the result of training, without differences in test scores between the 2 types of training. Students who received video simulation training interpreted simulated feeding behaviors of preterm infants more accurately than students who received didactic training. Infant distress signs were also documented with higher accuracy for students who received video simulation training. After training and regardless of method, participants correctly attributed distress behaviors during bottle-feeding to increased risk for feeding difficulty. Conclusions: In the current educational environment, training opportunities with high-risk preterm infants are constrained by access to health care settings specializing in care for this population and availability of clinical supervisors with expertise in this area of practice. Patient simulators are expensive; however, video simulation offers inexpensive opportunities for students to effectively gain knowledge and skills for assessing feeding in preterm infants. With video simulation, students effectively apply principles of preterm infant feeding to cases and practice critical thinking skills before entering related clinical practicum placements.