{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,20]],"date-time":"2026-06-20T14:52:14Z","timestamp":1781967134094,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Physiotherapy Canada"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Purpose: We described physiotherapy (PT) learner confidence and comfort in engaging in challenging conversations before and after a simulation-based lab and explored how learners found the activity helpful. Method: Quantitative data were collected through three online surveys (before, immediately after, and 3 months after the lab) and analyzed via descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey questions and reflection papers, and analyzed via thematic content analysis. Results: Twenty-two, predominantly female (72.7%) second year entry-level PT learners participated (mean age 25.7 [SD 2.9] years). Learners\u2019 confidence or comfort increased 16%\u2013100% after the lab. Learners found the lab to be a valuable learning experience and reported that feedback and observation, realism, and preparation influenced their learning. The lab reinforced and provided new learning about several communication skills like developing a connection and reading non-verbal cues. Some learners had difficulty integrating communication into their perception of PT skills and felt the need to resolve or \u201cfix\u201d the issue. Conclusions: A simulation-based Challenging Conversations Lab was perceived to be a valuable learning experience that may have increased comfort and confidence in engaging in challenging communication scenarios for entry-level PT students.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc-2024-0039","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T04:21:03Z","timestamp":1775708463000},"page":"212-219","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Examining the Effect of a Simulation-Based Activity on Learner Comfort and Confidence With Challenging Communication Scenarios for Physical Therapy Students: A Mixed-Methods Analysis"],"prefix":"10.3138","volume":"78","author":[{"given":"Caitlin","family":"McArthur","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sara","family":"Ripley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Niousha","family":"Alizadehsaravi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Karen","family":"Bassett","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Collaborative Clinical Learning, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marie","family":"Earl","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kate","family":"Grosweiner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Melanie","family":"MacLeod","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Collaborative Clinical Learning, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daphne","family":"Periera","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"From the: School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1696","reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"r1","first-page":"309","volume":"38","author":"Adam K","year":"2011","journal-title":"Work"},{"issue":"9","key":"r2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.3109\/09638288.2013.813082","volume":"36","author":"Hudon A","year":"2014","journal-title":"Disabil Rehabil"},{"issue":"3","key":"r3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1037\/h0085885","volume":"16","author":"Bordin ES.","year":"1979","journal-title":"Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice"},{"issue":"4","key":"r4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"561","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-006X.61.4.561","volume":"61","author":"Horvath AO","year":"1993","journal-title":"J Consult Clin Psychol"},{"key":"r5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc-2021-0003"},{"key":"r6","unstructured":"Canadian Council of Physiotherapy University Programs. 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