There is evidence that a simulation based learning (SBL) environment using Standardised Patients (SP’s) appears to have beneficial effects on the cognitive affective and psychomotor components of learning (Bradley 2006 McGaghie et al. 2011). The role of SP’s within simulation affords the student the ability to improve their skills on a similar type of population that they will come face to face with in clinical practice. However literature into the effectiveness of VP’s within undergraduate physiotherapy courses is sparse and requires further investigation. Anecdotal evidence through feedback at Robert Gordon University (RGU) is positive. Therefore it was of great interest to the researcher to investigate the impact of volunteers within undergraduate physiotherapy student clinical teaching on skills acquisition and practice. The area of cardiorespiratory was chosen due to the: author’s clinical and academic interests relevance to the research goals of the Simulation and Practice Special Interest Group and the fact that the students were undertaking their module in acute care at that given time.
