Effectiveness of online simulation training: Measuring faculty knowledge, perceptions, and intention to adopt.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Standardized simulation training is recommended for nursing faculty.
• Online training presents a scalable and accessible alternative to traditional in-person methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an online simulation training program's effectiveness using the Theory of Planned Behavior.
• To assess changes in nursing faculty's foundational simulation knowledge, perceptions, and adoption intentions.

Main Methods:

• A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed.
• 52 nursing faculty participated in the study at a large Midwestern university.
• Knowledge was assessed via module quizzes; perceptions and intentions were measured using the "Faculty Attitudes and Intent to Use Related to the Human Patient Simulator" questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in faculty knowledge and attitudes toward simulation were observed post-training.
• Faculty attitudes were a significant predictor of their intention to adopt simulation (B=2.54, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Online simulation training is an effective method for educating large numbers of nursing faculty.
• This approach facilitates the implementation of best practice standards in simulation within academic institutions.