Challenges and Needs in Digital Health Practice and Nursing Education Curricula: Gap Analysis Study.

Background: Australian nursing programs aim to introduce students to digital health requirements for practice. However, innovation in digital health is more dynamic than education providers' ability to respond. It is uncertain whether what is taught and demonstrated in nursing programs meets the needs and expectations of clinicians with regard to the capability of the nurse graduates. Objective: This study aims to identify gaps in the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework , based on the perspectives of clinical nurses, and in nurse educators' confidence and knowledge to teach. The findings will direct a future co-design process. Methods: This study triangulated the findings from 2 studies of the Digital Awareness in Simulated Health project and the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Capability Framework. The first was a qualitative study that considered the experiences of nurses with digital health technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second was a survey of nurse educators who identified their confidence and knowledge to teach and demonstrate digital health concepts. Results: The results were categorized by and presented from the perspectives of nurse clinicians, nurse graduates, and nurse educators. Findings were listed against each of the framework capabilities, and omissions from the framework were identified. A series of statements and questions were formulated from the gap analysis to direct a future co-design process with nursing stakeholders to develop a digital health capability curriculum for nurse educators. Conclusions: Further work to evaluate nursing digital health opportunities for nurse educators is indicated by the gaps identified in this study.

Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Providing Care to Southeast Asian Immigrants with Cardiometabolic Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: There is a growing emphasis on healthcare professionals' (HCPs) role in managing cardiometabolic risk factors to reduce health disparity for immigrants in developed countries. This scoping review aimed to analyse evidence about HCPs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of managing cardiometabolic risk factors among Southeast Asian (SEA) immigrants in developed countries. DESIGN: Primary studies from inception to July 17, 2023, from four databases: PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were included. This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology and reported in line with PRISMA-ScR. RESULTS: Of 619 identified studies, seven met the inclusion criteria. All studies discussed HCPs' knowledge, six explored attitudes, and three described practices specific to SEA immigrants. The extracted data were analysed using descriptive qualitative content analysis and classified into barriers and facilitators. Barriers included cultural discordance and acculturation challenges (patient level); gaps in cultural understanding, communication and clinical skills (healthcare team level); limited immigrant-specific resources (organisation level); and funding constraints (environment level). Facilitators included community and provider support (patient level), awareness and desires to provide immigrant-specific care (healthcare team level), availability of culturally appropriate services (organisation level), and multicultural agendas and policies (environment level). CONCLUSION: The barriers and facilitators faced by HCPs caring for SEA immigrants with cardiometabolic syndromes share similarities with other immigrant groups. Future research focused on co-production involving immigrant patients, their communities, and HCPs in healthcare service design is required to support HCPs in providing culturally appropriate care and promoting health equity regardless of ethnic, cultural, or linguistic backgrounds.

The promising role of Transcendental Meditation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases: A systematic review.

Psychological distress has a demonstrable impact on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and risk factors. Transcendental Meditation (TM) has been shown to reduce stress and improve health and well-being. The current review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of TM on cardiometabolic outcomes and identify gaps for future research. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases for relevant literature. Forty-five papers that reported studies of TM on cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases were included. Evidence shows that TM is effective in reducing blood pressure (BP). We found some evidence that TM can improve insulin resistance and may play a role in improving dyslipidemia, exercise tolerance, and myocardial blood flow, and in reducing carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular mass. Studies show that long-term TM practice can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD mortality. This review identified that certain studies have high participant drop-out rates, and fewer studies targeted comprehensive cardiometabolic outcomes beyond BP with longer follow-up periods. We found that most studies were conducted in specific populations, which may limit generalizability. In conclusion, TM has the potential to improve cardiometabolic health; however, research gaps highlight the need for larger phase III multicenter clinical trials with long-term follow-ups.

National survey on understanding nursing academics' perspectives on digital health education.

AIM: This study explored the knowledge and confidence levels of nursing academics in teaching both the theories and practical skills of digital health in undergraduate nursing programs. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A structured online survey was distributed among nursing academics across Australian universities. The survey included two sections: (1) the participants' demographics and their nursing and digital health teaching experience; (2) likert scales asking the participants to rate their knowledge and confidence to teach the theories and practical skills of four main themes; digital health technologies, information exchange, quality and digital professionalism. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen nursing academics completed part one, and 97 individuals completed part two of the survey. Only 6% (n = 5) of the participants reported having formal training in digital health. Digital health was mainly taught as a module (n = 57, 45.9%), and assessments of theory or practical application of digital health in the nursing curriculum were uncommon, with 79 (69.9%) responding that there was no digital health assessment in their entry to practice nursing programs. Among the four core digital health themes, the participants rated high on knowledge of digital professionalism (22.4% significant knowledge vs. 5.9% no knowledge) but low on information exchange (30% significant knowledge vs. 28.3% no knowledge). Statistically significant (p < .001) associations were found between different themes of digital health knowledge and the level of confidence in teaching its application. Nursing academics with more than 15 years of teaching experience had a significantly higher level of knowledge and confidence in teaching digital health content compared with those with fewer years of teaching experience. CONCLUSION: There is a significant gap in nursing academics' knowledge and confidence to teach digital health theory and its application in nursing. Nursing academics need to upskill in digital health to prepare the future workforce to be capable in digitally enabled health care settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nursing academics have a limited level of digital knowledge and confidence in preparing future nurses to work in increasingly technology-driven health care environments. Addressing this competency gap and providing sufficient support for nursing academics in this regard is essential. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? Level of knowledge and confidence among nursing academics to teach digital health in nursing practice. What were the main findings? There is a significant gap in nursing academics' knowledge and confidence to teach digital health theory and its application in nursing. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Professional nursing education globally. REPORTING METHOD: The STROBE guideline was used to guide the reporting of the study. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The call for participation from nursing academics across Australia provided an introductory statement about the project, its aim and scope, and the contact information of the principal researcher. A participant information sheet was shared with the call providing a detailed explanation of participation. Nursing academics across Australia participated in the survey through the link embedded in the participation invite.

Sociotechnical Challenges of Digital Health in Nursing Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic: National Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital health innovations, which has greatly impacted nursing practice. However, little is known about the use of digital health services by nurses and how this has changed during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the sociotechnical challenges that nurses encountered in using digital health services implemented during the pandemic and, accordingly, what digital health capabilities they expect from the emerging workforce. METHODS: Five groups of nurses, including chief nursing information officers, nurses, clinical educators, nurse representatives at digital health vendor companies, and nurse representatives in government bodies across Australia were interviewed. They were asked about their experience of digital health during the pandemic, their sociotechnical challenges, and their expectations of the digital health capabilities of emerging nurses to overcome these challenges. Interviews were deductively analyzed based on 8 sociotechnical themes, including technical challenges, nurse-technology interaction, clinical content management, training and human resources, communication and workflow, internal policies and guidelines, external factors, and effectiveness assessment of digital health for postpandemic use. RESULTS: Sixteen participants were interviewed. Human factors and clinical workflow challenges were highly mentioned. Nurses' lack of knowledge and involvement in digital health implementation and evaluation led to inefficient use of these technologies during the pandemic. They expected the emerging workforce to be digitally literate and actively engaged in digital health interventions beyond documentation, such as data analytics and decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should be involved in digital health interventions to efficiently use these technologies and provide safe and quality care. Collaborative efforts among policy makers, vendors, and clinical and academic industries can leverage digital health capabilities in the nursing workforce.

Ostomy-related problems and their impact on quality of life of Saudi ostomate patients: A mixed-methods study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the health-related quality of life outcomes and ostomy-related obstacles among patients with ostomy in Saudi Arabia. BACKGROUND: Negative effects on quality of life for patients following ostomy creation are a globally important health concern. Paucity of understanding factors that influenced quality of care after ostomy surgery hinders the ability of healthcare providers to offer appropriate care to improve patient's quality of care. METHODS: This mixed-methods study was undertaken through survey (COHQOL-Q Arabic version) for collecting the quantitative data (n = 421) and semi-structured interview for collecting qualitative data (n = 12). This study employed STROBE and GRAMMS checklists. RESULTS: Multiple health-related quality of life challenges was indicated by Saudi patients with intestinal stomas. Ostomy surgery interferes with religious practice in Muslim people, particularly obtaining Hajj worship and fasting for Ramadan. The overall QOL mean score was moderate level (M = 7.57) for ostomy patients in Saudi Arabia. The highest domain mean score was the social well-being (M = 7.84) and the lowest in the physical well-being (M = 7.18). Reshaping of religious practices, apprehension and adaptation to living with a stoma were the most common themes that participants discussed related to ostomy issues they experienced following ostomy surgery. CONCLUSION: The study findings reported a greater understanding of challenges that patients with stoma experience in Saudi Arabia. The process of the adaptation and the change of their lifestyle also affects patient's quality of life. The healthcare providers can use the study results to create a supportive intervention strategy that needed for maximise QOL for people with stoma. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study identifies issues associated with stoma creation among Saudi people and can help in planning and providing the required nursing care which may support in the reduction of predictable problems. Recommendations for future studies related to nursing professional practice are indicated.

Dosage Form Modification, a Simulation Activity between Nursing and Pharmacy Students.

Background: The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to evaluate student perceptions of a simulation activity involving undergraduate nursing and pharmacy students. The key question was "how do nursing and pharmacy students respond in an immersive collaborative simulation activity which involves medication dosage form modification?" Methods: One hundred nursing students participated in a simulated exercise where patients required medications for which there were barriers to administration. Fourteen pharmacy students were also present in the simulated health environment, observing the work of the nursing students and being available to provide advice regarding medication administration to the nursing students. A mixed methods approach was employed for this exploratory pilot study, where both nursing and pharmacy students were invited to complete a survey regarding the experience at the end of the simulation exercise and pharmacy students completed a reflection. Both surveys and reflections were analyzed. Results: Survey results indicated very high satisfaction regarding the exercise for both pharmacy and nursing students. Analysis of pharmacy student reflections also indicated apprehension regarding their preparedness to contribute to the exercise, enjoyment in participation, their understanding of the value of collaboration between the two groups of students, and also recognition of their need to be more prepared for such situations. Conclusion: This study assessed student perceptions and did not formally evaluate learning outcomes. The interprofessional immersive simulated learning opportunity was viewed as valuable by both nursing and pharmacy students. The immersive simulation provided teaching staff with the opportunity to develop a new approach for the teaching of dosage form modification to both nursing and pharmacy students in an interprofessional setting.

Health-related quality of life among patients with an ostomy regarding sex, disease diagnosis, health care provider, and ostomy type: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ostomy surgery can negatively affect quality of life; however, the lived experiences of individuals with ostomies in Saudi Arabia are not well understood. PURPOSE: To examine how sex, ostomy type, disease diagnosis, and health care provider shape health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with ostomies in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted based on self-reported data of a convenience sample of 421 patients (239 male, 182 female) with ostomies (206 temporary, 211 permanent, 4 unknown) from 5 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the City of Hope-Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (Arabic version) and analyzed by univariate and multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and overall HRQOL. RESULTS: HRQOL scores correlated significantly with ostomy type (temporary vs permanent), sex, and health care provider. There were no significant differences in HRQOL scores by disease diagnosis (cancer vs non-cancer). CONCLUSION: Several potential predictors of HRQOL among patients with ostomies in Saudi Arabia were identified, which may assist in developing intervention strategies to improve patients' HRQOL. Additional studies are needed to understand the specific barriers in each group.

The Impact of Digital Health Transformation Driven by COVID-19 on Nursing Practice: Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake of digital health innovations due to the availability of various technologies and the urgent health care need for treatment and prevention. Although numerous studies have investigated digital health adoption and the associated challenges and strategies during the pandemic, there is a lack of evidence on the impact on the nursing workforce. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the impact of digital health transformation driven by COVID-19 on nurses. METHODS: The online software Covidence was used to follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Relevant scientific health and computing databases were searched for papers published from January 2020 to November 2021. Using the 8D sociotechnical approach for digital health in health care systems, the papers were analyzed to identify gaps in applying digital health in nursing practice. RESULTS: In total, 21 papers were selected for content analysis. The analysis identified a paucity of research that quantifies the impact of the digital health transformation on nurses during the pandemic. Most of the initiatives were teleconsultation, followed by tele-intensive care unit (tele-ICU), and only 1 (5%) study explored electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Among the sociotechnical elements, the human-related factor was the most explored and the system measurement was the least studied item. CONCLUSIONS: The review identified a significant gap in research on how implementing digital health solutions has impacted nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap needs to be addressed by further research to provide strategies for empowering the nursing workforce to be actively involved in digital health design, development, implementation, use, and evaluation.

City of Hope-Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arabic Version: assessment of reliability and validity.

BACKGROUND: Arabic is spoken as a native language by more than 400 million people worldwide. However, there is no specific Arabic language instrument to measure stoma-related quality of life. PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the validity and reliability of the City of Hope-quality of life-Ostomy Questionnaire (COH-QOL-OQ) Arabic version. METHODS: A cross­sectional design was used. Intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to measure reliability, and Pearson's correlations of an item with its own scale and other scales were scored to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity. Content validity was reviewed by a panel of 5 experts. RESULTS: There were 421 participants with colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy (239 [56.8%] male and 182 [43.2%] female). All COH-QOL-OQ subscales for the Arabic version demonstrated a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.71-0.87). The initial administration of the confirmatory factor analysis model showed inadequate goodness-of-fit indices (χ² /df = 3.902, NFI = .845, CFI = .880, RMSEA = 0.083). However, after removing item 2 in the social dimension, the final administration of the confirmatory factor analysis model showed significant goodness-of-fit indices (χ² /df = 2.663, NFI = .900, CFI = .935, RMSEA = 0.063). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the COH-QOL-OQ Arabic version is a valid and reliable tool to measure quality of life among patients with an ostomy in Saudi Arabia.

Confidence, skills and barriers to ostomy patient care by nursing staff in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study examined the confidence level and perceived barriers to providing ostomy care among staff nurses in Saudi Arabia. BACKGROUND: Patients with ostomies experience increased comfort and satisfaction when nurses are confident in their knowledge and skills. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to conduct the research. The study included a convenience sample of 214 staff nurses from five hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The researchers used a survey questionnaire to gauge participants' confidence in their knowledge and skills, as well as identify any perceived barriers to ostomy care. RESULT: Overall, 95.1% of participants worked in adult care and 82.2% worked in surgical areas. There were significant relationships between the nurses' confidence in their ostomy care knowledge and skills and their years of nursing experience and having received ostomy care training in nursing school (p < .05); however, the nurses' level of education had no correlation (p > .05). CONCLUSION: While the majority of nurses were confident in their ability to care for patients with ostomies, they were concerned about causing stoma problems. This suggests that improving the quality of ostomy care provided by nurses may result in fewer negative outcomes for patients with ostomies.

Quality of life among ostomy patients: A narrative literature review.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify and summarise factors related to ostomy patients' experiences and how these impact the perceived quality of life for those patients. BACKGROUND: Ostomy formation is a common therapeutic technique used to treat different colorectal diseases such as colorectal cancer. Although surgical intervention and ostomy formation may prolong a patient's life, it may cause many problems in their daily lifestyle and affect their quality of life. The surgical creation of an ostomy has a significant impacts on a patient's quality of life from multiple perspectives, including physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. DESIGN: A narrative literature review, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline). METHODS: This review analysis of search filters was conducted in the following databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus, and PsycINFO. A validation data set of 283 research articles between January 2000 and December 2019 were used to identify the impact of stoma surgery on patients' quality of life. RESULT: Thirty-seven studies were identified as suitable for inclusion in this literature review. The results of the review indicate that quality of life (QoL) in patients who have an ostomy is influenced by many modifiable factors. Exercise, preoperative stoma site identification, family support, maintenance of social networks, education, spirituality and financial stability are all potentially modifiable factors that can improve the QOL for ostomy patients. CONCLUSION: This review has identified multiple challenges that ostomy patients experience, which were clustered according to physical, psychological, social and spiritual challenges. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study identifies issues associated with stoma creation and can help in planning and providing the required nursing care which may assist in the reduction of predictable challenges. Recommendations for future research related to nursing practice are stated.

Identification of authentic assessment in nursing curricula: An integrative review.

This article aims to identify the application of authentic learning principles to the assessment of nursing students. An integrative review was undertaken using the Whittlemore and Knafl (2005) framework: identifying the problem/purpose, searching and evaluating the literature, data analysis and presentation or results. Primary searches were conducted using MeSH terms identified as key words across four search data bases (PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus and ProQuest). Literature was identified using inclusion/exclusion criteria and critiqued. Three major themes emerged from the literature review: Clinical Practice, Self-Assessment and Simulation. Models of authentic learning exist that could guide the development of authentic learning assessment for students, however no identifiable tool for locating and mapping authentic assessment in nursing was found. This review challenges the contemporary belief that authentic assessment is to be found in nursing curricula and evidenced by clinical practice.

Preliminary report of a simulation community of practice needs analysis.

AIM: To understand the current needs related to education and training, and other investment priorities, in simulated learning environments in Australia following a significant period of government funding for simulation-based learning. METHODS: A mixed methods study, comprising qualitative focus groups and individual interviews, followed by a quantitative cross-sectional survey informed by themes emerging from the qualitative data. FINDINGS: Two focus groups and 22 individual interviews were conducted. Participants included simulation educators, technical users and new adopters. Survey data were collected from 152 responses. Barriers at the introduction and maintenance stages of simulated learning included irregular staff training resulting in inconsistent practice, and lack of onsite technical support. Educators lacked skills in some simulation and debriefing techniques, and basic education and research skills were limited, while technicians raised concerns regarding the maintenance of equipment and managing budgets. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite its effectiveness as an education tool, barriers remain at the introduction and maintenance stages of simulated learning environments. Efforts to improve the integrity and sustainability of simulation training should be informed by a comprehensive needs analysis. The resulting data should be used to address barriers in a way that maximises the limited resources and funding available for this important learning tool.

Staff perception of the sustainability of a mature simulation program in nursing and midwifery education: A phenomenological analysis.

BACKGROUND: As an established pedagogy for teaching clinical nursing skills, the use of simulation in nursing and midwifery education continues to increase globally. In Australia, government incentives for staff development, capital equipment and scenario provided initial impetus for introducing simulation into nursing programs. However, a mature simulation program requires ongoing investment in staff and resources. Without appropriate commitment from educators and organisations, a likely decline in the quality of simulation activities may have a direct impact on student learning. PURPOSE: This study sought to explore the views and experiences of nursing and midwifery academics involved in delivering a simulation-based education program in a maturation phase. METHOD: In this qualitative study, interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to inform data collection and analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured audio-recorded interviews with 10 faculty staff in a tertiary school of nursing and midwifery. RESULTS: Four main themes related to simulated learning were abstracted from the data: perceptions and reactions, inconsistent customs, pedagogy of simulation-based education, and collateral opportunities. The findings are located within the context of a maturation, rather than introductory, phase of delivering simulation-based education in a tertiary education setting. CONCLUSIONS: A mature simulation program may be undermined by ageing equipment and scenarios, and facilitators whose skills have not been maintained. Existing simulation activities require ongoing organisational support and investment. The development and introduction of minimum competency levels for facilitators and standardised measures of quality in practice are indicated, to improve simulation practice in the education setting.

Cultural Respect Encompassing Simulation Training: Being Heard About Health Through Broadband.

BACKGROUND: Cultural Respect Encompassing Simulation Training (CREST) is a learning program that uses simulation to provide health professional students and practitioners with strategies to communicate sensitively with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients. It consists of training modules with a cultural competency evaluation framework and CALD simulated patients to interact with trainees in immersive simulation scenarios. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of expanding the delivery of CREST to rural Australia using live video streaming; and to investigate the fidelity of cultural sensitivity - defined within the process of cultural competency which includes awareness, knowledge, skills, encounters and desire - of the streamed simulations. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this mixed-methods evaluative study, health professional trainees were recruited at three rural academic campuses and one rural hospital to pilot CREST sessions via live video streaming and simulation from the city campus in 2014. Cultural competency, teaching and learning evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: Forty-five participants rated 26 reliable items before and after each session and reported statistically significant improvement in 4 of 5 cultural competency domains, particularly in cultural skills (P<0.05). Qualitative data indicated an overall acknowledgement amongst participants of the importance of communication training and the quality of the simulation training provided remotely by CREST. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural sensitivity education using live video-streaming and simulation can contribute to health professionals' learning and is effective in improving cultural competency. CREST has the potential to be embedded within health professional curricula across Australian universities to address issues of health inequalities arising from a lack of cultural sensitivity training. Significance for public healthThere are significant health inequalities for migrant populations. They commonly have poorer access to health services and poorer health outcomes than the Australian-born population. The factors are multiple, complex and include language and cultural barriers. To address these disparities, culturally competent patient-centred care is increasingly recognised to be critical to improving care quality, patient satisfaction, patient compliance and patient outcomes. Yet there is a lack of quality in the teaching and learning of cultural competence in healthcare education curricula, particularly in rural settings where qualified trainers and resources can be limited. The Cultural Respect Encompassing Simulation Training (CREST) program offers opportunities to health professional students and practitioners to learn and develop communication skills with professionally trained culturally and linguistically diverse simulated patients who contribute their experiences and health perspectives. It has already been shown to contribute to health professionals' learning and is effective in improving cultural competency in urban settings. This study demonstrates that CREST when delivered via live video-streaming and simulation can achieve similar results in rural settings.

Do commencing nursing and paramedicine students differ in interprofessional learning and practice attitudes: evaluating course, socio-demographic and individual personality effects.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) requires health students to learn with, from and about each other in order to develop a modern workforce with client-centred care at its core. Despite the client centred focus of IPE, training programs often utilize standard approaches across student cohorts without consideration of discipline, sociodemographic and personality variability that attract students to different health disciplines. Knowing the students who engage in IPE to tailor training may prove as beneficial as knowing the client to delivered individualized client centred care in interprofessional practice (IPP). This research investigates whether students commencing undergraduate nursing and paramedicine degrees ener training with existing demographic and personality differences and, if these are associated with different attitudes towards health care teams and interprofessional education. METHOD: This online study recruited 160 nursing and 50 paramedicine students in their first week of their undergraduate course. Students completed questionnaires regarding their background, personality (General Perceived Self Esteem Scale, International Mini Markers) and the attitudes towards health care teams scale (ATHCTS) and interprofessional education perception scale (IEPS). RESULTS: Results show that commencing nursing and paramedicine students are demographically different on education, gender, speaking a language other than English at home (LOTE) and their own experience with healthcare. The results further demonstrate that LOTE, discipline being studied and personality factors play a role in perceptions regarding interprofessional training whilst discipline being studied impacted on attitudes towards health care teams in the workforce. CONCLUSION: These results highlight a number of existing personal and psychological differences between individuals who choose to train in these selected professions. This suggests a need for tertiary education IPE programs to move towards tailoring their education to value this student diversity in the same client centred manner that students are asked to develop clinically.

Making the most of simulated learning: understanding and managing perceptions.

UNLABELLED: Increased emphasis on the use of simulation by nursing education providers is evident world-wide. It is unclear what the implications of this initiative are for academic staff within nursing programs. Programs report a range of responses to simulation pedagogy amongst faculty ranging from enthusiasm to avoidance. This study identified a wide range of concerns encapsulating the staff themselves, their concern for students as well as organisational considerations that impact staff perceptions. METHODS: Nineteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with faculty in a school of nursing and midwifery. Thematic analysis of data was carried out. RESULTS: This study reinforced other earlier research related to staff feelings about the introduction of a simulation program or uptake of existing equipment and facilities. This study reflects the knowledge and experience staff had of simulation and highlights the importance of ensuring all members have a collective frame of reference in order to create shared language and vision. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the research on staff attitudes to simulation by identifying the preconceived ideas that contribute to idea formation and relates this to the insight and self-efficacy of the faculty members.