Clinical Virtual Simulation: A Qualitative Usability Study

Background: Simulation-based training is an important pedagogical approach used in nursing education. Recently, academic institutions have begun integrating virtual simulation technologies into nursing curricula. There is an increasing need to explore nursing students’ and faculty members’ usability experiences toward virtual simulations. Research Question: What are the usability experiences of nursing students and faculty who trialed an in-house designed and developed clinical virtual simulation used to demonstrate a wound dressing change? Methods: Seven participants were recruited. Primary data was collected using a Think Aloud approach followed by individual interviews. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the findings. Findings: The following themes emerged: (a) overall clinical virtual simulation usability experience; (b) stepping into a nurse's shoes; (c) facilitating learning; and (d) clinical virtual simulation product and production. Conclusion: Nursing students and nurse faculty members had positive perceptions toward the usability of the clinical virtual simulation.