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

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.