Patient role simulation practicum in maternity nursing: The effects on problem solving ability, self-directed learning ability, and communication skill

Abstract

This study was aimed to develop 5 Patient Role Simulation Practicum Modules of Maternity Nursing and examine its effects on problem solving ability, self-directed learning ability, and communication skill. Clinical situations of 5 Patient Role Simulation Practicum Modules were made with a pregnant woman with active labor, fetal distress, vaginal bleeding, preeclampsia, and Diabetes Mellitus. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted on nursing college junior students including 41 of the control group and 49 of experimental group. Problem solving ability, self-directed learning ability, and communication skill were assessed by self-report questionnaire of the Korean Educational Development Institute. The levels of problem solving ability of experimental group were significantly higher than that of the control group (t=2.30, p=.024). No significant difference was found in self-directed learning ability (t=1.77, p=.080) and communication skill (t=1.74, p=.085) between the 2 groups. The results showed that Patient Role Simulation Practicum was effective in improving problem solving ability and not effective in improving self-directed learning ability and communication skill. Therefore, it is recommended that the nursing students should be provided Patient Role Simulation Practicum to improve problem solving ability in Maternity Nursing. © 2015 International Information Institute.