[Nursing Education Utilizing Experiences in a Virtual Hospital Ward]

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Environmental Design

Context:

• Medical nursing students struggle to visualize hospital environments during lectures.
• Effective environmental design is crucial for safe medical practice and patient comfort.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of computer-aided design (CAD) software in creating virtual hospital ward simulations for nursing education.
• To assess student and nurse perceptions of virtual ward movies versus still images for understanding hospital environments.

Summary:

• A study utilized "3D My Home Designer" software to create virtual hospital ward movies, including simulations of changeable wall colors, room layouts, and a cataract patient's visual perspective.
• Both students and nurses showed improved understanding of a cataract patient's visual experience through the simulated movie compared to still images.
• No significant difference was found between movie and still image formats for understanding general room design and layout.

Impact:

• Virtual movie simulations, particularly those depicting patient-specific conditions like visual impairment, can significantly enhance nursing students' comprehension of healthcare environments.
• This technology offers a valuable tool for nursing education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in patient care.
• The use of virtual environments in lectures can improve students' ability to connect with and assist patients by fostering a deeper understanding of their surroundings.