Text Network Analysis of Research Topics and Trends on Simulations Using Virtual Patients in Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Virtual patient simulations are established tools in nursing education.
• Previous research has not employed network analysis or topic modeling for this specific application.
• Understanding trends in virtual patient simulations is crucial for advancing nursing pedagogy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform keyword network analysis and topic modeling on research concerning virtual patient simulations in nursing education.
• To identify influential keywords and emerging topics within this field.
• To provide insights for future research directions.

Main Methods:

• A systematic retrieval of 213 articles from online databases.
• Extraction of abstracts for analysis.
• Network analysis using NetMiner software.
• Topic modeling to identify thematic clusters.

Main Results:

• Keywords with high centrality: scenario, communication, system, assessment, person, disaster, and management.
• Identified topics include: dementia care competency, pain assessment, airway placement management, operating procedure, presence and satisfaction, communication and attitude improvement, platform world, disaster response, game and video usability, and system for confidence.

Conclusions:

• Network analysis and topic modeling reveal key influential terms and research themes in virtual patient simulations for nursing.
• These findings offer a comprehensive overview of current trends and potential future research avenues.
• The study provides valuable insights for educators and researchers in optimizing virtual patient simulation use.