Objective: To describe a clinical laboratory practice simulation experience for clinical laboratory science (CLS) students which was intended to improve the transition from the student laboratory to the clinical environment.
Setting: University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health, a rural health professions education center for a state-assisted institution.
Practice description: Baccalaureate-level CLS program.
Practice innovation: Clinical laboratory practice simulation experience allows students to become familiar with the clinical environment. It also allows faculty to assess student performance and to provide students with feedback in a controlled setting.
Main outcome measurement: Perception of benefit from the simulation experience by CLS graduates.
Results: CLS graduates report the simulation experience helped to prepare them for practice in the clinical environment.
Conclusion: Clinical laboratory simulation can improve the transition to actual clinical laboratory practice and is a valuable tool to evaluate pre-clinical deficiencies.