The Efficacy of High-Fidelity Telesimulation in Preparing Nursing Students for Emergency and Critical Patient Care: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: High-fidelity telesimulation can address the gap in nursing education caused by the pandemic by providing a simulated environment for students to practice skills that closely mimic real-life scenarios.

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the effect of a high-fidelity telesimulation teaching program on emergency and critical patient care-related knowledge, self-confidence, and critical thinking skills in nursing students.

Methods: This randomized, single-blind controlled study was conducted on a sample of 84 nursing students who were evaluated using pretest and posttest measurements. The participants were randomized into a control group ( n = 43) and an experimental group ( n = 41). The control group received an in-person traditional teaching program, and the experimental group was taught using a high-fidelity telesimulation program. During the high-fidelity telesimulation, synchronous online tutorial learning and telesimulation were conducted every 100 and 300 minutes. The experimental group program included a lecture, simulation teaching videos, and demonstrations related to endotracheal intubation, 12-lead electrocardiography, protective clothing, and hybrid telesimulation learning. In each subgroup, the students executed a single high-fidelity telesimulation scenario in which they were assigned individual roles. The students in the other subgroups served as observers and engaged in the synchronous online debriefing. Teaching efficacy was evaluated using an objective structured clinical examination and a questionnaire designed for emergency and critical patient care.

Results: In the experimental group, levels of knowledge and self-confidence as well as critical thinking skills related to emergency and critical patient care were significantly higher than in the control group ( p < .05).

Conclusions: High-fidelity telesimulation teaching is a feasible and reliable alternative to conventional in-person simulation for nursing students, particularly in situations where traditional clinical experiences are not possible.