The contribution of instructor presence to social evaluation anxiety, immersion and performance within simulation-based learning environments: A within-subject randomised cross-over trial with paramedic students

Abstract

Background Previous research suggests removing instructors from simulation-based learning environments is popular with students who report greater task immersion and decreased anxiety. However, the specific impact of social evaluation anxiety on students’ immersion and performance remains equivocal. Methods Thirty-one paramedic students completed two simulation-based clinical scenarios in random order, one in the presence of an instructor and one without. Students’ distraction and time-to-completion were quantified via review of head-mounted video cameras, anxiety via continuous heart-rate (HR), and performance via two expert assessors reviewing video footage using a structured clinical assessment checklist. One-on-one, in-depth interviews followed with 12 randomly selected students. Results Students completed scenarios 1.8 minutes quicker when instructors were ‘absent’ compared to ‘present’ (6.6 vs. 8.4 min, p