Comparative Analysis of the Competency Assessment in Intraoperative and Intrapartal Experiences of Nursing Students Using Simulated and Actual Patients

Abstract

The introduction of simulation learning in the clinical training of nursing students has gained much attention for the past years. It is of interest to note whether the use of simulated patient care in performing intraoperative or intrapartum care would create much difference with the traditional actual patient care. This study conducted a comparative analysis of the clinical instructor’s assessment of the competency of nursing students in surgical and delivery rooms when using simulated and real patients. It is the intent of the study to determine the difference between simulations and actual patients in assessing the desired learning outcomes or competencies among the nursing students in the intraoperative or surgical and intrapartal or maternal training of nursing students. The surgical competency focused on this study is the scrub nursing competency when assisting surgeries in the operating room, while handling normal delivery is the competency measured for maternal nursing. A descriptive–comparative study was conducted using retrospective intraoperative scores of 57 nursing students and intrapartal scores of 45 nursing students. Data were analyzed using t-test. Findings revealed that there is a significant difference in the intraoperative competencies and intrapartal competencies. Simulation has higher scores compared to actual patients for intraoperative; however, competencies were higher in intrapartal competencies with actual patients. It is concluded that competency assessment using actual or simulation patients varies according to the competency assessed.