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BACKGROUND: Innovative educational approaches such as simulation-based nursing education using virtual reality (VR) technologies provide new opportunities for nursing education. However, there is a lack of information on side effects, especially health-related side effects, of head-mounted displays (HMDs) on the human body when using VR devices for nursing simulation. This study aims to validate the German version of the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) and to evaluate its associations with sex and age, as reflected in the VRSQG scores (total score, oculomotor, and disorientation) over time. METHODS: A longitudinal-sectional study was conducted. In addition to the VRSQG (pre-, post-, and 20 min post-intervention), participants (all nursing students) completed data on personal characteristics. Participants completed a VR simulation of a blood draw. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate whether the measured construct was consistent with the original. In addition to the validity, internal consistency was analyzed and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 nursing students (mean age 26.8 years; SD = 7.1, 79.0% female) participated. The mean time spent in the VR simulation was 21 min. All participants completed the entire simulation. The CFA indicates (CFI = 0.981, SRMR = 0.040) VRSQG structure is given. Internal consistency showed low values for the subdomain Oculomotor (Cronbach alpha 0.670). For Disorientation and the Total score values showed a sufficient internal consistency. GLMs showed significant between subject associations with age over time with VRSQG total score, oculomotor, and disorientation. Older nursing students start with higher VRSQG-Scores. Over time, an approximation occurs, so that all participants reach a similar level by the final measurement point. No associations were found between sex (male/female) and VRSQG scores. CONCLUSIONS: The VRSQG is a reliable and valid self-assessment for measuring cybersickness in VR based nursing simulations, with cybersickness symptoms positively associated with age. However, in depth-evaluation regarding age-associations with cybersickness should be done. As well as studies to explore additional associations and emphasizes the importance of establishing cut-off values to assess the clinical relevance of the scores.
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BACKGROUND: Simulations are part of nursing education. To obtain good results, simulation facilitators need to be competent in simulation pedagogy. Part of this study was the transcultural adaptation and validation of the Facilitator Competency Rubric into German (FCRG) and the evaluation of the factors associated with higher competencies. METHOD: A written-standardized cross-sectional survey was conducted. N = 100 facilitators (mean age: 41.0 (9.8), female: 75.3%) participated. Test-re-test, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and ANOVAs were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of, and the factors associated with, FCRG. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values > .9 indicate excellent reliability. RESULTS: The FCRG achieved good intra-rater reliability (all ICC > .934). A moderate correlation (Spearman-rho .335, p < .001) with motivation indicates convergent validity. The CFA showed sufficient to good model fits (CFI = .983 and SRMR = .016). Basic simulation pedagogy training is associated with higher competencies (p = .036, b = 17.766). CONCLUSION: The FCRG is a suitable self-assessment tool for evaluating a facilitator's competence in nursing simulation.
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The use of socially assistive robots (SARs) to enable older adults (aged ≥65 years) to live independently for as long as possible has been researched for several years. Of particular interest is the way SARs can combat loneliness. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 older adults in living facilities in Berlin, Germany. Paper-based questionnaires were used to elicit experiences of loneliness and determine the level of acceptance of SARs. Mean score (39.3) of the loneliness scale was in the average range for this population. Mean score (56.1) of acceptance of SARs was on a moderate level. Regression analyses showed that loneliness did not influence the acceptance of SARs by older adults in the sample, which was contrary to findings in the literature. Further studies might generate more accurate data and accelerate the development of robots to make them more attractive for social purposes. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(4), 21-26.].
Subject(s)
Loneliness , Robotics , Humans , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , GermanyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Since the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, the working conditions of professional caregivers have tougher. This has lead to an increased desire to leave the profession. Since thoughts of leaving are influenced by factors such as ability to work and the relationship between effort and reward, both should be recorded and examined in relation to the desire to leave the profession. METHODOLOGY: In a standardized, online-based cross-sectional study, nurses from all areas were asked about their ability to work (Work Ability Index: WAI), the ratio of effort and reward (Effort-Reward-Imbalance: ERI-Ratio) as well as their desire to either leave the job or to change employers. RESULTS: A total of 2,689 questionnaires returned by nurses (average 41.3 years old, 75.1% female) were evaluated. The WAI indicates an average working ability (37.9 (6.7)). Nurses put in more effort than they get rewarded for (ERI ratio 1.7 (0.5)). 38.3% of the nurses considered leaving their job several times a month or more frequently, 30.6% to change their employers. Predicting factors were WAI (OR 0.881, 95%-CI 0.866; 0.897 and 0.923, 95%-CI 0.908; 0.938) and ERI ratio (OR 4.076, 95%-CI 3.224; 5.149 and 4.203, 95%-CI 3.312; 5.334). CONCLUSION: The ability to work and, in particular, the perception of professional effort and the reward received becomes apparent as having an influence on the idea of leaving the profession. The present results show that the ERI is of particular importance. Accordingly, it is important to find out which reward factors have a positive effect on remaining in the profession. The proportion of nurses with an academic degree is higher than expected which might have influenced the results.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Nurses , Humans , Female , Adult , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Job Satisfaction , COVID-19/epidemiology , Germany/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Reward , Surveys and Questionnaires , Stress, Psychological , WorkloadABSTRACT
DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2020/January 2021 in the five significant cities of Germany. SAMPLE: 135 of 244 identified service institutions took part in the evaluation. MEASUREMENTS: This evaluation included changes in institutions' operating hours as well as capacity for homeless people. Service institutions described changes in guests' characteristics, moods, and mental burden. Finally, equipment including face masks, coveralls, and gloves was investigated. In addition, the study examined how the cooperation with the health authorities works. RESULTS: Institutions reduced their operating hours and capacity for guests (62.4%). Increased costs, which they had to cover themselves, were reported by 70.9% of institutions. Institutions reported, that guests showed more symptoms of aggression (15%), anxiety (25%), and desperation (32%) and fewer signs of being relaxed (75%). The institutions reported room for improvement in PPE supplies and collaboration with health authorities. CONCLUSIONS: Services are limited for a vulnerable population, which shows changes in moods and mental health. Health authorities are not sufficiently engaged to take over the role of institutions in caring for homeless people. In the future, in-depth investigation to improve this is necessary.
