Introduction: Over the last 15 years, simulation training has become a critical component of cultivating nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). In this study, we discuss the development and pilot evaluation of a next-generation VR simulation training system for nursing education, the Simulation Learning System with VR (SLS with VR). We also discuss the results of a pilot study of the completed system with 135 nursing students across 6 educational institutions.
Methods: The project consisted of three phases: 1) selection of scenario content for implementation, 2) implementation and iteration of content, and 3) pilot testing and evaluation of the resulting curriculum. In the first two phases, an initial scenario curriculum was developed and implemented. Then, a pilot evaluation study was performed at six participating nursing education institutions and integrated into routine simulation learning sessions within the curriculum of each site, with data collected from learners and instructors via survey.
Results: 135 nursing students and 10 instructors across 6 institutions participated in this study. 82% of students perceived the VR simulations were "effective" or "extremely effective," 14% were "neutral," and 4% felt that the simulations were "ineffective" or "extremely ineffective." The overall raw system usability score (SUS) rating from students was 71.64, which is in the "above average" category. Among the 10 instructors, 9 felt the simulations were "effective" or "extremely effective" and 1 felt the simulations were "ineffective." The overall raw SUS rating from instructors was 75.0, which is in the "above average" category.
Conclusions: We successfully demonstrated an approach to enhancing VR simulation training which achieved above average usability scores from both learners and instructors, with the vast majority of learners and instructors rating the simulation system as effective or highly effective.
@inproceedings{Sarma2023imsht,
author = {Sarma, K. V. and Parikh, N. and Bambini, D. and Barakat, S. and Pohlman, H. and Malmgren, L. and Carr, N. and Chan, C. and Limberg, S. and Weiss, T. L. and Ribeira, J. R. and Polson, J. S. and Barrie, M. and Andre, T. and Namperumal, S. K. and Ribeira, R. J.},
booktitle = {Technical Proceedings of the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare},
title = {{Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Healthcare Simulation Curriculum for Nursing Education: SLS with VR}},
year = {2023},
}