Development of a Scenario and Evaluation for Simulation Learning of Care for Patients with Asthma in Emergency Units

The students reported that simulation learning helped them to integrate their knowledge to practice and recognize their weaknesses and strengths, but the scores for self-confidence about patient care after the simulation learning were low.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scenario and evaluate students' performance in simulation learning of care for patients with asthma in emergency units. Methods: Meetings of experts were used to develop a scenario based on actual patients and textbook material. An evaluation protocol was developed to evaluate the simulation learning. The scenario was used in 2006 with six groups of 26 senior nursing students who participated voluntarily. Results: The scenario was developed according to the nursing process for 15 minutes of simulation learning. The nursing students were able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The results showed a need to improve problem solving ability. In the self-evaluation, the students reported that simulation learning helped them to integrate their knowledge to practice and recognize their weaknesses and strengths. However, the scores for self-confidence about patient care after the simulation learning were low (4.8/10). Conclusion: The scenario in this study gave the students the experience of providing qualified and secure nursing care under conditions similar to reality. Further development of a variety of scenarios for simulation learning is needed.