Using design thinking to identify training needs in CPR education: a qualitative study with nursing students and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing Education
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Background:

• Nursing students face challenges in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skill retention, emotional readiness, and confidence.
• Innovative methods like simulation-based learning and virtual reality (VR) are explored to improve CPR training.
• A Design Thinking approach was used to understand student and professional perspectives on training needs and emotional barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the training needs and emotional barriers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education from the perspective of nursing students and healthcare professionals.
• To identify key themes influencing the effectiveness of current CPR training methods.
• To inform the development of user-centered educational interventions for CPR.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative study involving structured group sessions with 120 undergraduate nursing students and 20 healthcare professionals.
• Utilized empathy mapping, a Design Thinking tool, to gather data on participants' experiences.
• Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six-phase method, with reliability ensured by two independent coders.

Main Results:

• Identified four major themes: need for more hands-on practice, lack of self-confidence in emergencies, disconnect between theory and practice, and emotional stress from fear of failure.
• Participants suggested virtual reality (VR) as a tool for safe, repeated exposure to enhance both technical and emotional competence in CPR.
• Findings indicate a need for improved CPR training that addresses both skill acquisition and emotional preparedness.

Conclusions:

• Design Thinking is effective in identifying experiential learning needs for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education.
• Virtual reality (VR) shows potential as a complementary tool to simulation-based training, improving emotional safety and learner confidence.
• The study's insights will guide the development of a user-centered CPR educational intervention for future randomized controlled trials.