Effect of simulation-based teaching on nursing skill performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Objective To summarize and produce aggregated evidence on the effect of simulation-based teaching on skill performance in the nursing profession. Simulation is an active learning strategy involving the use of various resources to assimilate the real situation. It enables learners to improve their skills and knowledge in a coordinated environment. Methods Systematic literature search of original research articles was carried out through Google Scholar, Medline, and Cochrane Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Studies conducted on simulation-based teaching and skill performance among nursing students or clinical nursing staff from 2010 to 2019, and published in the English language, were included in this study. Methodological quality was assessed by Joanna Briggs Institute, and the risk of bias was also assessed by Cochrane risk of bias and the risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studies (ROBINS-I) checklists. Results Initially, 638 titles were obtained from 3 sources, and 24 original studies with 2209 study participants were taken for the final analysis. Of the total studies, 14 (58.3%) used single group prep post design, 7 (29.1%) used high fidelity simulator (HFS), and 7 (29.1%) used a virtual simulator (VS). Twenty (83.3%) studies reported improved skill performance following simulation-based teaching. Simulation-based teaching improves skill performance among types of groups (single or double), study regions, high fidelity (HF), low fidelity (LF), and standard patient (SP) users. But the effect over virtual and medium fidelity simulators was not statistically significant. Overall, simulation-based teaching improves the skill performance score among the experimental group (d = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.69–1.33], Z = 6.18, P < 0.01, 93.9%). Significant heterogeneity and publication bias were observed during the pooled analysis. Conclusions Simulation did improve skill performance among the intervention groups, but the conclusion is uncertain due to the significant heterogeneity. The large extent of difference among original research has necessitated the development of well-defined assessment methods for skills and standardized simulation set-up for proper assessment of their effects.