Ventriloscope Simulation Stethoscope Training in PT and AT Students (VENTAS)

The Effect of Ventriloscope Simulation Stethoscope Training on Auscultation Knowledge, Skill, and Confidence in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Students: A Longitudinal Within-Subjects Study

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.

Auscultation is a required clinical competency for physical therapists and athletic trainers, yet evidence-based instructional tools remain limited. Simulation stethoscopes, such as the Ventriloscope (Lecat's SimplySim, Canton, OH), pair a standard-appearing stethoscope with a wireless transmitter that delivers pre-recorded pathologic heart and lung sounds to the learner as though originating from a live patient. Prior work has shown benefit in pharmacy, paramedic, and DPT populations, but no published study has evaluated this technology in Athletic Training students, used a within-subjects longitudinal design tracking the same participants across traditional and simulation training, or included a qualitative comparison of student perceptions.

Design: Single-cohort, longitudinal, within-subjects repeated-measures study with an embedded qualitative component.

Timepoints: T1 Pre-Traditional (May 2026); T2 Post-Traditional (May 2026); T3 Pre-Ventriloscope, ~2-month retention check (July 2026); T4 Post-Ventriloscope (July 2026); T5 2-month Follow-Up (September 2026).

Interventions: (1) Traditional auscultation training session (~90 min) including didactic lecture and peer auscultation with standard stethoscopes; (2) Ventriloscope simulation training session (~90 min) including device orientation, three-step technique instruction, and rotation through eight pre-programmed PT/AT-relevant case stations.

Rationale for single-cohort design: A two-arm design would require withholding a potentially beneficial educational intervention from half of a required clinical curriculum, which presents ethical concerns in a health professions education context. All participants receive both interventions sequentially.

Non-Probability Sample was utilized which included a sample of convenience drawn from the current cohort of YSU PT and AT graduate students.

Graduate students currently enrolled in the Youngstown State University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program or the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program who are concurrently receiving auscultation instruction as part of their standard curriculum.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the YSU PT (DPT) or AT (MAT) professional program
• Enrolled in Human Anatomy PHYT 8810 (PT) or Human Anatomy MAT 6908 (AT), in which auscultation instruction is delivered
• Age 18 years or older
• Able to provide voluntary written informed consent

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