Clinical Simulations in the Development of Clinical Reasoning in Physiotherapy Students: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Adela Mora Marín Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4706-3717
  • Hazel Fallas Saborío Director and Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author
  • Sofía Morales Calderón Professor and Extension Agent, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author
  • Adriana Paniagua Brenes Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author
  • Adriana Medrano Canales Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author
  • Grettel Porras Ramírez Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48047/qhmt0j42

Keywords:

Clinical simulation, clinical reasoning , learning, physical therapy

Abstract

Background: Clinical reasoning is one of the main foundations for developing skills that students must strengthen physical therapy. Multiple methodologies exist to foster this skill, one of which is the use of designed and controlled simulations. It was wanted to analyze the effectiveness of clinical simulations for developing clinical reasoning in physical therapy students. Method: A bibliographic search was conducted using MeSH and DeCS terms, as well as the Boolean operators AND and OR, to analyze the effectiveness of the clinical simulations described by the authors in each of the included articles. Results: In experimental studies, it was found that beginning students use pain as a hypothesis and apply strategies such as trial and error, protocols, and rule-in/rule- out, while advanced students stand out for their use of deduction and pattern recognition. In observational studies, students primarily used hypothetical-deductive reasoning and protocols, demonstrating high acceptance of simulations as an effective strategy for developing clinical reasoning. Conclusion: It was determined that clinical simulations have high effectiveness and acceptance in the development of new clinical reasoning strategies.

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Author Biography

  • Adela Mora Marín, Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

    Researcher and teacher of Physical Therapy in Universidad Latina de Costa Rica.

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Published

2025-02-25

How to Cite

Clinical Simulations in the Development of Clinical Reasoning in Physiotherapy Students: A Literature Review (Adela Mora Marín, Hazel Fallas Saborío, S. Morales Calderón, A. Paniagua Brenes, A. Medrano Canales, & G. Porras Ramírez , Trans.). (2025). Cuestiones De Fisioterapia, 55(1), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.48047/qhmt0j42