Beyond the Case Study: Laboratory Activities to Complement Integumentary Education.

Abstract

Objective: To present a full scope of detailed and engaging laboratory activities recommended by physical therapist clinicians and educators from across the US to assist health professions faculty to develop new or improve current integumentary/wound management (IWM) instruction.

Methods: A three-round Delphi survey was conducted to update IWM curriculum recommendations for entry-level doctor of physical therapy education. First-round participants provided ideas for laboratory activities. Activity responses were discussed, edited for redundancy, and clarified. Missing information (eg, estimated cost and time required) was added to increase usability.

Results: A total of 139 laboratory activities were recommended by survey participants. Many of the suggestions included inexpensive and readily available, do-it-yourself wound models requiring food or other moulage techniques. These simulations are elucidated to facilitate translation of ideas into classroom and community laboratory activities to promote student learning.

Conclusions: The literature supports that most entry-level healthcare profession programs report limited IWM education, emphasizing the need for effective and efficient use of IWM contact hours. Developing engaging and meaningful hands-on laboratory activities is vital to increasing student knowledge and skill in this area of clinical practice.