Virtual Simulations’ Impact on Clinical Practice: A Qualitative Study

Comparing Virtual Simulations to Paper Case Studies in Combination With Manikin-Based Medication Administration Simulations

“…The data analysis showed the usage of V-SBEs in addition to the manikin-based simulation did improve the student's compliance to the medication administration process, although this was not statistically significant. These findings align with the literature review by Verkuyl et al, 13 Cant et al, 12 and Mabry et al, 9 which support use of virtual environments to improve comfort with nursing skills.…”

“…15(p56) Several studies exploring the utilization of V-SBEs have demonstrated positive results, improving attitudes, knowledge, skills, and perceptions of learning with a variety of health care professionals. 9,12,13 The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of an enhanced medication administration simulation bundle that included the use of manikin-based simulations in combination with either V-SBEs for DP or traditional paper case studies for DP on safe medication administration knowledge, self-confidence and self-efficacy, performance, and long-term skill retention in undergraduate nursing students. The primary aims were to improve patient safety during medication administration, reduce the likelihood of adverse drug events, facilitate the development of critical medication administration safety skills, and enhance students' confidence and self-efficacy with medication administration.…”

“…Training in virtual environments also has emerged as an approach for addressing skill development and knowledge acquisition in many settings 9,11. Like traditional SBEs, virtual simulation-based experiences (V-SBEs) allow for real-life experiences and rapid feedback in a risk-free setting at the same time or asynchronously 9,11-14. Virtual simulation can be described as “a type of simulation that injects humans in a central role by exercising motor control skills (for example, flying an airplane), decision skills (committing fire control resources to action), or communication skills (as members of an air traffic control team).”15 Several studies exploring the utilization of V-SBEs have demonstrated positive results, improving attitudes, knowledge, skills, and perceptions of learning with a variety of health care professionals 9,12,13…”

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“…To minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection, universities were advised to make alternative arrangements for students to continue their program of study entirely online (Health Education England, 2020). This led to the suspension of student placements, the creation of remote lectures, and the adaptation of existing simulation modules to suit the virtual environment (Bliss, 2021;Kim et al, 2021;Verkuyl et al, 2022). Given these adjustments, it is timely to consider the acceptability of such educational offerings and to establish whether VS is a suitable supplement or alternative to in-person teaching and clinical placement.…”

“…Virtual simulation has been gaining popularity in healthcare education in recent years, with mounting evidence suggesting that VS improves learning outcomes, increases learner satisfaction, boosts clinical skills, aids knowledge retention, and provides an opportunity for more accessible education for students (Foronda et al, 2020;Gu et al, 2017;Kim et al, 2021;McCutcheon et al, 2015;Oermann, 2015;Terry et al, 2018;Verkuyl et al, 2022;Xiong et al, 2017). Furthermore, in-person simulation is resource intensive and is more than three times as expensive as VS (Haerling, 2018).…”