Ventriloscope Simulation Training for Medical Students

Overseen By Morgan Bagley, PhD, AT, ATC

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Youngstown State University

Disqualifiers: Prior auscultation training, scheduling conflict

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This longitudinal, single-cohort, within-subjects study evaluates whether sequential exposure to Ventriloscope simulation stethoscope training, delivered after traditional auscultation instruction, enhances auscultation knowledge, clinical sound recognition skill, and self-reported confidence in Physical Therapy (PT) and Athletic Training (AT) students, and whether any enhancement is retained two months after training.

All participating students receive both training modalities in sequence. Knowledge, skill, and confidence are measured at five timepoints (T1-T5) across approximately five months. A qualitative component examines student perceptions of the two training modalities.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Edmund Ickert, PT, DPT, PhD

Principal Investigator

Youngstown State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Enrolled in Human Anatomy PHYT 8810 (PT) or Human Anatomy MAT 6908 (AT), in which auscultation instruction is delivered

Currently enrolled in the YSU PT (DPT) or AT (MAT) professional program

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Prior formal clinical auscultation training as part of a prior healthcare degree (e.g., nursing, respiratory therapy, medicine, physician assistant)

Inability to participate in both training sessions due to academic leave, course withdrawal, or scheduling conflict that cannot be reasonably accommodated

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Traditional Auscultation Training

Participants receive traditional auscultation training including didactic lecture and peer auscultation with standard stethoscopes

1 week

1 session (in-person)

Ventriloscope Simulation Training

Participants receive Ventriloscope simulation training including device orientation and rotation through case stations

1 week

1 session (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention of auscultation knowledge, skill, and confidence

8 weeks

2 assessments (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Traditional Auscultation Training
• Ventriloscope Simulation Training

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Sequential Traditional+Ventriloscope Training Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

A single cohort of PT and AT students receives traditional auscultation training in summer, followed by Ventriloscope simulation stethoscope training approximately two months later. All participants receive both interventions. Assessments occur at T1 (pre-traditional), T2 (post-traditional), T3 (pre-Ventriloscope / 2-month retention), T4 (post-Ventriloscope), and T5 (2-month follow-up).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Youngstown State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

27

Recruited

2,000+