The development and evaluation of an integrated virtual patient case study and related online resources for person-centred nursing practice. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Orr, Fiona; Kelly, Michelle; Virdun, Claudia; Power, Tamara; Phillips, Angela; Gray, Joanne
• Is Part Of: Nurse education in practice. Volume 51(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Nursing education -- Person-centred nursing -- Virtual patient case -- Online learning; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.73071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.102981
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-5953

Abstract

Abstract: Ensuring students develop person-centred practice for diverse groups of people across health care settings is an important outcome of undergraduate nursing education. This paper presents the development and evaluation of a learning innovation, an integrated virtual patient case study and complementary online resources for person-centred nursing practice. The virtual patient case study of an Australian Aboriginal woman diagnosed with breast cancer was integrated within four core subjects of a Bachelor of Nursing program, for a total of 600 second-year students. The evaluation of this learning strategy was encouraging. Students reported that the online learning activities were engaging, particularly due to the level of realism, their understanding of Aboriginal Peoples' healthcare needs increased, and they developed therapeutic communication skills, applicable in a variety of healthcare contexts. Staff concerns about student wellbeing when learning sensitive content online were unfounded. When carefully planned, a virtual patient case study and online learning resources can support students to enhance their person-centred nursing practice. Further evaluation, including student outcomes through assessment, is an important next step. Highlights: Person-centred practice is an important outcome of undergraduate nursing education. Authentic, virtual patient case studies and online resources can enhance nursing students' person-centred practice. Students report this learning to be engaging and applicable to their future nursing practice. Innovations for remote and online learning are timely and of relevance for nursing education, globally.