Frameworks for the design, implementation, and evaluation of simulation-based nursing education: A scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review was conducted to identify and describe constructs of frameworks and theories used to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of simulation in nursing education globally, with a focus on their applicability in low-resource settings. Six electronic databases, three of which were on EBSCO Host (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC), PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest, as well as Google Scholar, were searched to retrieve studies published in the English language between 2012 and February 2022. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist, and was guided by Arksey and O′Malley's five-step scoping review methodological framework. Data were extracted from five studies (four frameworks and a theory) and narratively synthesized. Hence, seven constructs were identified and described: context, background, simulation design, educational practices, facilitator, participant, and outcomes. The four frameworks and theory were developed in the context of developed countries, which reveals the lack of a context-specific framework to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of simulation in nursing education in low-resource settings. Given resource limitations and the apparent gaps in applying simulation-based framework(s) developed in developed countries to low-resource settings, the findings of this review underscored the need for a context-specific framework that is locally tailored to the needs and resources of low-resource settings, to promote access to and use of simulation in enhancing student learning, and the development of clinical competence.