Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
Back to contents page
The Role of Simulation in Nurse Education
Catherine Houghton
RGN, RSCN, BN, hDip Sick Children’s Nursing, MHSc
Department of Nursing and Midwifery Studies,
Aras Moyola,
NUI Galway.
00353 91 495481
catherine.houghton@nuigalway.ie
Dr. Dympna Casey
RGN, BA, MA, PhD
Department of Nursing and Midwifery Studies,
Aras Moyola,
NUI Galway.
00 353 91 493652
dympna.casey@nuigalway.ie
The aim of this literature review is to examine research into the use
of simulation in the Clinical Skills Laboratory. A comprehensive
search strategy was conducted using CINAHL, Blackwell Synergy
and MEDLINE. Keywords such as “simulation”, “simulated learning”,
“skills learning” retrieved substantial nursing and medical research
into this topic. Analysing the research highlighted three main areas
of simulation under which to examine the area of simulation in
nurse education. These are: Simulated Models; Standardised
Patients and Computer-Based Simulation.
Simulated models can be classified as low, moderate or high fidelity
which depends on their semblance to reality. Many of the studies
examined found that their use develops critical thinking, selfassessment
and confidence for practice. However, they also
highlight some of the disadvantages which include anxiety and the
modification of behaviour.
Standardised Patients (SPs) involves the use of real people coached
to ‘act’ as real patients. In addition to the advantages highlighted in
relation to the use of models, the research found the use of SPs
useful for improving communication skills. However, there is a
question over the reliability of the feedback that the SPs provide
and some of the research has examined ways of trying to overcome
this.
Finally, computer-based simulation is an evidence based way of
learning that can be accessed outside of classroom hours. There is a
question as to how it can actually improve the ability to
- 413 -