Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
PLoS One. 2021 Dec 13;16(12):e0261389. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261389. eCollection 2021.
Podiatrists regularly use scalpels in the management of foot pathologies, yet the teaching and learning of these skills can be challenging. The use of 3D printed foot models presents an opportunity for podiatry students to practice their scalpel skills in a relatively safe, controlled risk setting, potentially increasing confidence and reducing associated anxiety. This study evaluated the use of 3D printed foot models on podiatry students' anxiety and confidence levels and explored the fidelity of using 3D foot models as a teaching methodology.
Multiple study designs were used. A repeated measure trial evaluated the effects of a 3D printed foot model on anxiety and confidence in two student groups: novice users in their second year of podiatry studies (n = 24), and more experienced fourth year students completing a workshop on ulcer management (n = 15). A randomised controlled trial compared the use of the 3D printed foot models (n = 12) to standard teaching methods (n = 15) on students' anxiety and confidence in second year students. Finally, a focus group was conducted (n = 5) to explore final year student's perceptions of the fidelity of the foot ulcer models in their studies.
The use of 3D printed foot models increased both novice and more experienced users' self-confidence and task self-efficacy; however, cognitive and somatic anxiety was only reduced in the experienced users. All changes were considered large effects. In comparison to standard teaching methods, the use of 3D printed foot models had similar decreases in anxiety and increases in confidence measures. Students also identified the use of 3D foot models for the learning of scalpel skills as 'authentic' and 'lifelike' and led to enhanced confidence prior to assessment of skills in more high-risk situations.
Podiatry undergraduate programs should consider using 3D printed foot models as a teaching method to improve students' confidence and reduce their anxiety when using scalpels, especially in instances where face-to-face teaching is not possible (e.g., pandemic related restrictions on face-to-face teaching).
足病医生在处理足部病理时经常使用解剖刀，但这些技能的教学和学习可能具有挑战性。使用 3D 打印的足部模型为足病学生提供了在相对安全、可控风险环境中练习解剖刀技能的机会，有可能增加信心并降低相关焦虑。本研究评估了 3D 打印足部模型对足病学生焦虑和信心水平的影响，并探讨了将 3D 足部模型用作教学方法的逼真程度。
使用了多种研究设计。一项重复测量试验评估了 3D 打印足部模型对两组学生（第二年足病研究的新手用户（n = 24）和完成溃疡管理讲习班的第四年更有经验的学生（n = 15））的焦虑和信心的影响。一项随机对照试验比较了 3D 打印足部模型（n = 12）与第二年学生标准教学方法（n = 15）对学生焦虑和信心的影响。最后，进行了焦点小组讨论（n = 5），以探讨最后一年学生对足部溃疡模型在其研究中的逼真程度的看法。
使用 3D 打印足部模型提高了新手和更有经验的用户的自信和任务自我效能感；然而，仅在经验丰富的用户中，认知和躯体焦虑才降低。所有变化都被认为是大影响。与标准教学方法相比，使用 3D 打印足部模型可使焦虑程度降低，信心程度提高。学生还将 3D 足部模型用于解剖刀技能的学习，认为其“真实”且“逼真”，并在更具高风险的情况下评估技能之前增强了信心。
足病学本科课程应考虑将 3D 打印足部模型用作教学方法，以提高学生使用解剖刀时的信心并降低其焦虑感，特别是在面对面教学不可能的情况下（例如，由于与大流行相关的面对面教学限制）。
