Computerized Patient Model and Simulated Clinical Experiences

Evaluation With Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Feingold, Carol E. MS, RN
Calaluce, Margaret BSN, RN
Kallen, Michael A. PhD, MPH

Ms. Feingold is Clinical Associate Professor, Ms. Calaluce was formerly Assistant Coordinator, Patient Care Learning Center, College of Nursing, and Dr. Kallen is Assistant Director, Office of Educational Development, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona.

Address correspondence to Carol E. Feingold, MS, RN, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, 1305 N. Martin, PO Box 210203, Tucson, AZ 85721-0203; e-mail: [email protected].

Received: March 14, 2003; Accepted: September 2, 2003

Journal of Nursing Education 43(4):p 156-163, April 2004.

This study evaluated student and faculty member perceptions regarding the use of a computerized universal patient simulator (Laerdal™ SimMan™ Universal Patient Simulator) in a simulated clinical scenario. Students who used SimMan in clinical simulation activities in this baccalaureate program during two consecutive semesters were surveyed using a 20-item tool scored on a 4-point Likert scale. Four faculty members were surveyed using a 17-item tool with the same response scale.

The majority of the student sample consisted of Anglo women between ages 22 and 36. Survey items related to the reality of the simulations, the pace and flow of the clinical simulation, the ability to transfer skills learned to actual clinical settings, and the value of the simulated clinical experiences. Faculty members were also surveyed related to resource issues.

Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey responses. The majority of the students and faculty members identified the simulations as realistic and valuable. However, only approximately half of the students agreed that the skills learned in the clinical simulation would transfer to a real clinical setting, compared to 100% of the faculty. Faculty members reported that implementing the simulated clinical scenario required additional time and resources.