Computer Simulation for Pain Management Education: A Pilot Study

A Scoping Review of Pain Management Education Programs (PMEPs): Do They Prepare Nurses to Deal with Patients’ Postoperative Pain?

“…All of the studies were conducted in the United States of America (USA); however, the study settings varied. One publication presented the results of a pilot study and included 30 nursing students attending a large metropolitan university [ 14 ]. Four of the articles were designed to evaluate and assess healthcare professionals' knowledge of pain management and included the following: 37 registered nurses working in the postanesthesia care unit at a department of anesthesiology and critical care medicine in a university hospital in Baltimore [ 15 ]; 40 registered nurses (22 nurses from an academic medical center and 18 nurses from a community-based regional medical center) and the electronic health records of 58 patients from an academic medical center [ 16 ]; 23 nurses employed in a trauma unit in an urban academic hospital in Western Pennsylvania [ 17 ]; and 51 nurses working at three medical and surgical units at a university hospital in Indiana [ 1 ].…”

“…The advantage of this educational program is that not only does it influence nursing knowledge and attitudes but it also addresses the complexities of pain management in nursing. The computer-based simulation teaching tool was found to influence students' perceptions of learning pain management skills, who found them to be more effective than traditional lectures, with the potential to change nursing practice [ 1 , 14 ]. However, differences within nursing practice can also affect the success of a patient's pain outcomes.…”

“…These methods were clearly described and were appropriately matched to each study's research aim, adding to the credibility and reliability of the results. A variety of methods were used for collecting and analyzing the data, such as using both quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey results [ 14 ], using a cross-sectional design to analyze questionnaire, medical records, and interview data [ 16 ], as well as quantitative measuring of the effectiveness of the intervention by using a pre- and posttest design, using a survey before and after implementation [ 1 , 6 , 17 ].…”

“…The PMEPs included in the review presented a variety of teaching strategies for pain management practice, and these included the use of computer-based simulation, web-based facilitation, and video scenarios based on using an evidence-based algorithm in practice, with the aim of implementing nursing strategies to improve the quality of care and pain management outcomes in the surgical field [ 1 , 14 – 17 ]. This is a fundamental element of nursing knowledge that is vital in preparing nurses' decision-making skills to allow them to provide adequate treatment in a surgical patient context.…”

Development of an Interactive 3D Visualization Tutorial for Pathophysiology in Graduate Nursing Education

“…8 Technology continues to advance in health care with the use of simulation and serious gaming, but the use of 3D, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for educational purposes is not omnipresent. 19 Simulation continues to grow with the integration of virtual telehealth and the use of objective structured clinical examinations, but the focus is more on the core physical assessment components and not pathophysiology or pharmacology. Incorporating a multimodal, innovative, interactive, and visually engaging digital learning tool is one method that may improve graduate nursing students' competence in advanced pathophysiology.…”