Knowing the “why” and “how” of therapeutic modalities is essential – but students also need to practice applying that knowledge in realistic patient care situations – the “when”. The ATu Physical Agent Modalities Simulations app bridges the gap between classroom learning and clinical decision-making through interactive, patient-based cases. In the second session of our therapeutic modalities series, we’ll explore how the simulations guide students through:
- Selecting appropriate modalities based on patient presentation and clinical goals
- Applying contraindication and precaution knowledge in realistic scenarios
- Integrating modality choice into broader treatment planning decisions
You’ll discover how this app can help students strengthen clinical reasoning, connect evidence to application, and make safe, effective modality decisions – before they ever step into the clinic.
**If you missed Part 1 of this series, highlighting the Physical Agent Modalities app for teaching the “why” and “how” of modality use, you can watch the recording through the Educator Events on-demand video library at here.**
Featured Speaker: Christopher Schmidt, PhD, ATC
An athletic training professional for 30 years, Dr. Schmidt’s career spans clinical care, academic leadership, and professional service. From treating patients across diverse settings to shaping undergraduate and graduate programs, he’s a contributor in the field, influencing best practices through research and committee roles with the NATA and CAATE. His passion extends to curriculum design, interprofessional education, and youth sports injury prevention, helping to shape the future of athletic training.
00:00 Welcome & Introduction
01:39 Teaching Therapeutic Modalities – Teaching the “Why”, “How”, and “When”
03:12 Enhancing Clinical Reasoning Through Simulations
09:47 Modalities Simulation App Overview
12:26 App Demo: Using ATu for Course Design and Planning; Creating Interactive Syllabi
15:40 App Demo: Using the Educator Dashboard for Real-Time Assessment & Accountability
17:49 App Demo: Accessing the Answer Key and Educator Information
20:00 App Demo: Student View of Sim Scores, Downloading a Learning Report (PDF), Educator Dashboard
21:20 App Demo: Using the Bookmark Tool to Curate Course-Specific Playlists of Videos and Simulations
23:04 App Demo: Iontophoresis MiniSIM
31:39 Announcing KinesioU!
33:39 Faculty Support Resources and Ways to Share Your Feedback
Helpful Links: Complimentary Educator access | Educator resources | Set up a Demo
Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making: Using ATu Simulations to Teach Therapeutic Modalities
In today’s healthcare education landscape, one challenge consistently emerges: helping students bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and clinical application. Recently, we hosted the second part of our webinar series on teaching therapeutic modalities, focusing specifically on how educators can utilize the Physical Agent Modalities Simulations app to develop students’ clinical reasoning skills when applying therapeutic interventions.
Moving Beyond Basic Knowledge to Clinical Decision-Making
As educators, we’ve all witnessed students who excel at memorizing facts but struggle when faced with real-world clinical scenarios. As one athletic training educator recently noted in a professional forum, “Students struggle to problem-solve when all the answers aren’t right in front of them. They’re hesitant to make decisions without clear direction.”
This observation perfectly captures why we developed our comprehensive simulation platform. While Part 1 of our webinar series explored the Physical Agent Modalities app for teaching the “why” and “how” of modalities, Part 2 focused on the equally crucial “when” – helping students develop sound clinical judgment through interactive simulations.
A Multi-Level Approach to Learning
What makes ATu particularly effective for developing clinical reasoning is our tiered approach to learning. Our educational platform offers multiple levels that progressively builds students’ competence and confidence:
- MicroLearning – At the foundational level, we provide opportunities for factual recall through simple quizzing to establish core knowledge.
- MiniSIMS – These intermediate-level simulations present patient scenarios that require students to apply their knowledge in clinical contexts with lower cognitive load.
- MacroSIMS – Our most advanced simulations feature complex patient cases that demand higher-order thinking and comprehensive clinical reasoning.
This structured progression allows students to develop their skills gradually, moving from “knowing” to “knowing how” and finally to “showing” in simulated environments.
Inside the Physical Agent Modalities Simulation App
The Physical Agent Modalities Simulations app includes 10 MiniSIMS designed to help students practice clinical decision-making with various therapeutic interventions. Each simulation places students in realistic scenarios where they must determine appropriate parameters, identify contraindications, and respond to patient feedback.
For example, our iontophoresis simulation presents students with a patient who is a large canvas artist experiencing lateral epicondylalgia. In the simulation, students must:
- Identify contraindications for the treatment
- Select the appropriate medication and parameters
- Position the patient correctly
- Adjust equipment settings using interactive controls
- Respond to patient feedback and make modifications as needed
What makes these simulations particularly valuable is their ability to provide immediate formative feedback. When students make incorrect decisions, they receive explanations that guide their learning without penalty. This creates a low-stakes environment where mistakes become learning opportunities rather than failures.
Powerful Tools for Educators
While students benefit from the interactive learning experience, educators gain access to powerful assessment tools through the Educator Dashboard. This feature allows instructors to:
- Select and assign specific simulations for individual courses
- Track student progress in real-time
- Access comprehensive answer keys
- Review individual student performance data
The dashboard provides detailed analytics on each student’s performance, including how many attempts they’ve made, their scores, and where they might be struggling. This allows for targeted intervention and support exactly where students need it most.
Implementation Strategies
Many educators wonder how to effectively incorporate simulations into their existing curriculum. Based on our experience working with programs nationwide, we recommend a four-step implementation:
- Pre-Class Learning – Assign foundational videos from the Physical Agent Modalities app for students to review independently.
- Low-Stakes Assignment – Create a brief assignment to verify students have completed the pre-work.
- In-Class Discussion – Use class time for answering questions, clarifying concepts, and challenging knowledge.
- Post-Class Assessment Through Simulation – Assign appropriate MiniSIMS or MacroSIMS as culminating assessments.
This approach maximizes valuable class time while ensuring students receive both the theoretical foundation and practical application opportunities they need to develop clinical reasoning skills.
Bridging Education and Practice
What makes ATu particularly valuable in health professions education is its ability to prepare students for high-stakes certification exams while simultaneously developing the clinical reasoning they’ll need during clinical practice. The simulation interface mirrors the technology, the types of questions and scenarios students will encounter on certification exams, while they practice making clinical decisions. As one educator noted in a recent professional forum, adding “a component of decision-making and autonomy, either real or imagined” is essential for developing high-quality clinicians. Our simulation platform provides exactly that – structured opportunities for autonomous decision-making in a controlled, educational environment.
Ready to enhance your students’ clinical reasoning skills with ATu simulations? Reach out to schedule a personalized demonstration of how these tools can be integrated into your specific courses. Together, we can help bridge the gap between knowing and doing, preparing students who are not just knowledgeable, but confident and competent clinical decision-makers.
