Teaching high-risk clinical competencies: Simulations to protect students and models

It might not be possible to provide all athletic training students with actual injuries during their clinicaleducation on which they can demonstrate a particular skill. If not, the athletic training educator should provide clinical simulations that minimize the risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens for the student and the model. Structured training and practice have been shown to help reduce or prevent the occurrence of needlestick injury and other exposure to blood-borne pathogens.^3,8 We present these simulations to help health-care educators and clinical instructors use readily available materials to provide clinical simulations that are safe for everyone involved. Having a variety of safe alternatives to simulate high-risk clinical skills and competencies helps educators assess learning over time in their students.