Abstract
Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are vital to healthcare delivery, particularly in managing escalating situations with patients. Given the challenges posed by workplace violence, effective de-escalation skills are essential for PCTs. However, traditional training methods may not fully equip them for real-world scenarios. Simulation offers a valuable approach to learning complex skills by replicating real-life situations. Research supports simulation’s effectiveness in enhancing nursing students' communication, self-efficacy, problem-solving abilities, and learning satisfaction. Despite this, the impact of simulation on PCTs' professional development remains underexplored.
This IRB-approved study evaluated the effect of simulation pedagogy on PCTs' confidence in de-escalating aggressive patients. Using a randomized pretest-posttest control group design, PCTs received either standard de-escalation training or training enhanced with simulation. Standardized patients were used to create realistic scenarios, providing a safe environment for hands-on practice. The Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression questionnaire measured confidence levels before and after training. A total of 57 participants were included in the study.
The analysis revealed that the group receiving simulation training had higher confidence levels than the group with traditional training alone. Both groups showed increased confidence after training, but the improvement was greater for the simulation group. Specifically, post-training analysis showed statistically significant higher confidence levels for four out of the ten questions on the questionnaire in the simulation group. This research underscores the comparative effectiveness of simulation-based training over traditional methods and advocates for its integration into PCT professional development. Additionally, the findings suggest that this approach could lead to improved patient care outcomes and safer healthcare environments by providing more effective de-escalation training.
Notes
References: Chapin, J., & Koller, C. D. (2022). Are healthcare professionals optimistic about workplace violence? OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 27(3).
De la Fuente, M., Schoenfisch, A., Wadsworth, B., & Foresman-Capuzzi, J. (2019). Impact of behavior management training on nurses’ confidence in managing patient aggression. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000713
Felix, H. M., & Simon, L. V. (2023). Types of standardized patients and recruitment in medical simulation. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549907/
Ma, J., Lee, Y., & Kang, J. (2023). Standardized patient simulation for more effective undergraduate nursing education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 74, 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.10.002
National Healthcare Association. (2021). Your path to patient care technician certification. https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nhacertifications/certified-patient-care-technician-assistant-(cpct-a)
Texas Education Agency. (2019). Patient care technician. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Patient%20Care%20Technician%20final.pdf
Thackrey, M. (2016). Confidence in coping with patient aggression instrument. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/t52286-000
The Joint Commission. (2019). De-escalation in health care. Quick Safety, 47, 1-5. https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/workplace-violence/qs_deescalation_1_28_18_final.pdf
The Joint Commission. (2021). R3 report requirement rationale reference. https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/r3-reports/wpvp-r3_20210618.pdf
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Fact sheet | Workplace violence in healthcare, 2018 | April 2020.
https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-healthcare-2018.htm
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Nursing assistants. https://www.bls.gov/iif/snapshots/osn-nursing-assistants-2016-20.htm
United States Department of Labor. (2022). The business case for safety and health. Safety and health topics. https://www.osha.gov/businesscase
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Simulation, Teaching and Learning Strategies, lncivility
Recommended Citation
Robinson, LaGidgette Chantelle, "Empowering Confidence Through Simulation: De-Escalation Training for PCTs" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 110.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/110
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Empowering Confidence Through Simulation: De-Escalation Training for PCTs
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are vital to healthcare delivery, particularly in managing escalating situations with patients. Given the challenges posed by workplace violence, effective de-escalation skills are essential for PCTs. However, traditional training methods may not fully equip them for real-world scenarios. Simulation offers a valuable approach to learning complex skills by replicating real-life situations. Research supports simulation’s effectiveness in enhancing nursing students' communication, self-efficacy, problem-solving abilities, and learning satisfaction. Despite this, the impact of simulation on PCTs' professional development remains underexplored.
This IRB-approved study evaluated the effect of simulation pedagogy on PCTs' confidence in de-escalating aggressive patients. Using a randomized pretest-posttest control group design, PCTs received either standard de-escalation training or training enhanced with simulation. Standardized patients were used to create realistic scenarios, providing a safe environment for hands-on practice. The Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression questionnaire measured confidence levels before and after training. A total of 57 participants were included in the study.
The analysis revealed that the group receiving simulation training had higher confidence levels than the group with traditional training alone. Both groups showed increased confidence after training, but the improvement was greater for the simulation group. Specifically, post-training analysis showed statistically significant higher confidence levels for four out of the ten questions on the questionnaire in the simulation group. This research underscores the comparative effectiveness of simulation-based training over traditional methods and advocates for its integration into PCT professional development. Additionally, the findings suggest that this approach could lead to improved patient care outcomes and safer healthcare environments by providing more effective de-escalation training.
Description
Participants will explore research on the effectiveness of simulation-based training in boosting PCTs' confidence in de-escalating aggressive patients. This session will discuss how simulation training can enhance traditional methods, providing practical insights for nursing professional development practitioners and improving patient care outcomes.