Written and computer simulation on the moral sensitivity of nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Ethics
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• Moral sensitivity is crucial for ethical decision-making in healthcare professionals.
• Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) require heightened moral sensitivity due to complex patient care scenarios.
• Developing moral sensitivity is foundational for providing ethical and effective patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of virtual patient computer simulation versus written simulation in enhancing moral sensitivity among ICU nurses.
• To evaluate the impact of different simulation methods on the development of nurses' ethical awareness and decision-making capabilities.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 204 ICU nurses.
• Participants were divided into three groups: computer simulation, written simulation, and a control group.
• Moral sensitivity was assessed using the Lützén moral sensitivity questionnaire immediately and two months post-intervention.

Main Results:

• While no immediate post-intervention differences were observed, a significant difference in moral sensitivity emerged among the groups two months after the intervention.
• Both computer and written simulations showed a positive trend in developing moral sensitivity compared to the control group.
• The study found a significant difference in moral sensitivity among the groups prior to the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Virtual patient simulation, particularly computer-based, shows potential for long-term development of moral sensitivity in ICU nurses.
• Simulation-based training can be an effective tool for improving ethical awareness and decision-making skills in nursing practice.
• Further research is warranted to explore the optimal design and implementation of simulation methods for ethical training in critical care settings.