Telehealth Simulation With Motivational Interviewing: Impact on Learning and Practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Promotion
• Telehealth

Background:

• The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has increased healthcare demands and the need for cost reductions.
• There is a national imperative for nursing education to emphasize health promotion.
• Motivational interviewing (MI) is a key health promotion technique that can be integrated into nursing curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore postlicensure nursing students' perceptions and self-reported behaviors after a telehealth simulation-based experience practicing MI.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating MI training into nursing education via simulation.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory descriptive pilot survey was conducted.
• Postlicensure nursing students participated in an online synchronous telehealth simulation to practice MI.
• Student perceptions and self-reported behaviors were collected post-simulation.

Main Results:

• A 45% response rate was achieved for the pilot survey.
• All participants found the simulation beneficial and gained insights into a new clinical practice environment.
• Eighty percent wished they had learned MI during their prelicensure education, and 50% currently use MI in practice.

Conclusions:

• The telehealth simulation-based experience positively influenced postlicensure nursing students' learning.
• The simulation effectively impacted students' self-reported behaviors regarding the use of MI.
• This approach demonstrates potential for enhancing nursing education in health promotion strategies.