The satisfaction with simulation experience scale (SSES): A Validation Study

Abstract

Objectives: Simulated learning environments are a vital component in paramedic education. Therefore having instruments such as the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience Scale (SSES) with strong measurement properties to use in educational research studies is important. Only one study has reported on the psychometric properties of the SSES previously. To investigate the factor structure of the SSES when completed by a group of undergraduate paramedic students from a large Australian university.

Methods: Data from the SSES completed by second and third year undergraduate paramedic students were analyzed with Principle Components Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation.

Results: A total of (n=167) undergraduate paramedic students participated in the study.  The majority of the participants were female 58.7% (n=98) and aged < 26 years of age 80.2% (n=134). PCA of the 18 items revealed 3 factors with eigenvalues above 1, accounting for 55.5% of the total variance.  Items with loadings greater than ± .40, with the factor in question were used to characterise the factor solutions.

Conclusions: Findings from the PCA provide preliminary results that the SSES has adequate construct validity and reliability.  This offers those involved in paramedic education involving simulation with a practical and usable instrument.