Use of virtual clinical simulation to improve communication skills of baccalaureate nursing students: A pilot study☆ , ☆☆

Summary Background According to The Joint Commission (2012), the leading cause of sentinel events in the United States was miscommunication. Lack of thorough and accurate communication remains a serious challenge in healthcare and an educational priority in schools of nursing. Virtual clinical simulation is an online educational approach where students use avatars to practice various skills. Objectives The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the educational innovation of using virtual clinical simulation to improve communication skills of BSN students. The objectives of the simulations were to 1) recognize significant patient data and 2) accurately perform the ISBAR communication technique. Design The study used a within-group, time-series design with eight students. Students participated in two synchronous virtual simulations in an online virtual clinical environment called CliniSpace™. Students performed in groups of four to five students. Methods Students performed in two virtual simulations in groups of four to five students. Student performances were scored by two raters using the CliniSpace™ ISBAR Rating Sheet. Field notes from debriefing sessions were analyzed for content. Results Mean group student performance scores more than doubled from performance one to performance two. This change was found to be statistically significant, p