Methodological approaches and competence areas of nursing students in virtual reality simulation research – A scoping review

Abstract

<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To analyze methodological approaches (theoretical frameworks, study designs, methods) and competence areas of nursing students in research on virtual reality simulations (VRS) with a high level of immersion.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A scoping review was performed. A systematic search of the literature was conducted on MEDLINE, CINAHL and ERIC databases on 30/11/22. In addition, a manual search was utilized. The extracted data relating to the research questions was descriptively analyzed and results were narratively summarized.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total 23 studies were included in the review. Selected studies employed a wide range of theoretical frameworks and research designs. The studies aimed to develop competences both through complex interventions where team-based skills are required in acute situations, and they described basic nursing interventions where individual skills are required in non-acute nursing care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A significant amount of the selected studies did not utilize a learning theory or an instructional design framework as a basis for their research. More knowledge was found on training specific skills compared to facilitating the attitudes and values of the participants. Therefore, there is a need for further research on whether nursing students' attitudes and values can be supported through VRS with a high level of immersion.</p>