Evaluation of a metahuman-based interactive learning program for maternal nursing assessment in nursing students

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Medical Education Technology
• Nursing Simulation

Background:

• Maternal care nursing students often lack sufficient real-world patient interaction opportunities.
• This limits the development of crucial skills like patient-centered communication, empathy, and assessment.
• Virtual human technologies offer a safe, immersive environment for skill practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a Metahuman-based virtual pregnant woman (VPW) program.
• Evaluated effects on communication and nursing assessment competence, patient encounter burden, engagement, satisfaction, and interest.
• Investigated the utility of VPW technology in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 66 nursing students in South Korea.
• Experimental group interacted with a VPW for assessments; control group received video instruction.
• Pre- and post-intervention surveys and open-ended questions assessed learning outcomes.

Main Results:

• The experimental group reported reduced patient encounter burden and increased learning interest.
• No significant between-group differences were found for primary outcome measures.
• Qualitative feedback highlighted enhanced self-reflection, emotional involvement, and realism.

Conclusions:

• The VPW program shows potential as a supplemental digital learning tool in maternal nursing.
• It effectively promotes emotional engagement and reflective learning.
• Metahuman-based simulations can enhance learner immersion, despite modest quantitative results.