A qualitative study of perioperative nursing students' experiences of interprofessional simulation-based learning

To explore perioperative nursing students' experiences of interprofessional simulation-based learning to gain a deeper understanding of how this educational tool can be used to support students' learning and enable them to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

Despite extensive research, it remains unclear what and how participants learn from interprofessional simulation-based learning. There is a need to specify how interprofessional simulation-based learning should be organised to support and promote learning processes, especially for postgraduate learners. In particular, there seems to be little evidence in the existing literature in the field of educating perioperative nurses, where advanced technical skills and high-quality nursing care are required.

The study's qualitative and explorative design is reported in accordance with the COREQ guideline.

Between May-October 2019, thirty-four perioperative nursing students from four educational institutions participated in six focus group interviews, with four to eight students in each. All participants had previous experience of interprofessional simulation-based learning in acute settings. Data were transcribed verbatim and were then subjected to phenomenological hermeneutical analysis involving three steps: naïve reading, structural analysis and comprehensive understanding.

Three themes were identified the following: customised interprofessional simulation-based learning; reality of the experience of interprofessional simulation-based learning; and preparedness for clinical practice.

Customised interprofessional simulation-based learning was found to be of value to the participants and reflected their feeling of mental preparedness entering interprofessional simulation-based learning. Furthermore, participants' experience of reality when using the tool was a key theme that also impacted how prepared participants felt for clinical practice.

The study findings contribute to the further expansion of interprofessional simulation-based learning in perioperative nursing education as a means of developing students' professional competence. This is essential knowledge, as professional practitioners must reflect on practice to further enhance that practice and patient safety.