Occupational therapy students participate in NICU simulation, gain experience in advanced practice setting

Many students report they learn best through active learning – or learning by doing. At the West Virginia University School of Medicine, lab experiences, hands-on curriculum and simulation training support students’ experiential learning.

“Occupational therapy is a very hands-on profession; therefore, our curriculum must reflect that,” Breanna Adkins, Ed.D., OTR/L, assistant professor in the Division of Occupational Therapy, said. “Our faculty all strive to provide the students with as many hands-on learning opportunities as we can.”

This semester, students in the Division of Occupational Therapy program participated in an immersive NICU simulation experience at the David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS), WVU’s premiere simulation center that provides students with simulated scenarios to grow their skills before engaging in direct patient care. 

Megan Martino, an alumna of the WVU Master of Occupational Therapy program, was a guest lecturer for the simulation. Martino is a certified neonatal therapist at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital where she specializes in caring for and providing developmental support to premature and high-risk infants.

“I'm glad to be able to support future OT practitioners in their learning journey, as many others have supported my learning throughout my career,” Martino said. “The ability to support hands-on practice in the STEPs center really helps solidify classroom learning.”

The simulation provided students with an overview of what role an occupational therapist would play in different scenarios within the NICU. To facilitate this experience, a mother-child suite was set up with a NICU patient manikin in an incubator to simulate an infant born at 26 weeks gestation.  

Students evaluated the “infant,” assessing things like neurobehavior and musculoskeletal conditions. They also worked as a team to keep the “infant” safe and calm during typical care activities like diaper changes. 

Alyssa Lester, a second-year student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, said that hands-on learning experiences are crucial because they allow her to translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

“Participating in the simulation was an eye-opening experience, “Alyssa Lester, a student in the occupational therapy program, said. “It allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills I've learned in a real-life scenario, which was both challenging and incredibly valuable. My biggest takeaway was the importance of effective communication and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. I also learned the significance of adaptability and quick thinking in providing the best possible care to patients.”

For Sierra Hays, a second-year student in the OTD program, working in a simulated scenario helped bring new depth to her understanding of an OT’s role in the NICU setting.

“After gaining hands-on experience in the NICU setting, I discovered a passion for it that I hadn't anticipated,” Hays said. “My biggest takeaway was recognizing the complexity and critical importance of the occupational therapist's role in the NICU, along with the unique pressures of that environment. Walking into a NICU room for the first time can be overwhelming due to the small, delicate nature of the babies; however, this simulation allowed me to practice in a realistic setting, helping to ease any anxiety I might feel in the future.”

Kobey Hawk, a second-year student in the MOT program, is interested in working in pediatrics after graduation. He said this simulation reinforced his choice and gave him experience with a vulnerable population he couldn’t get through classroom instruction alone.

“Participating in the simulation was a great experience that helped me understand firsthand how to handle and interact with a NICU patient,” Hawk said. “I would have never known how to handle a child so fragile without this hands-on experience.”

Following the in-room simulation, students completed a virtual NICU mistake room where they evaluated different pre-created scenarios based on what they learned.

“Having WVU Medicine clinicians willing to collaborate with our students and work as guest lecturers helps enhance our students’ learning experience,” Adkins said. “Being able to offer real experience in advanced practice settings like the NICU helps prepare our students for any path they might choose after graduation.”

To learn more about the Division of Occupational Therapy at WVU, visit medicine.wvu.edu/OT.