2011 Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages 45-56
The aim of this paper is to present the results of a study designed to determine the effect of readiness improvement and clinical skills and competence of nursing students before an end-of-life care setting that scenario-based simulation education compare with a paper/pencil case study.
Eighteen students were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Randomized controlled trial design was used：the experimental group was exposed to scenario-based simulation, and the control group used paper/pencil case study simulation.
Both the experimental group and control group completed the following tests：self-efficacy scale, State-trait anxiety inventory-form JYZ（STAI） scale, communication skill scale, empathic scale, knowledge of end-of-life care, before and after the scenario-based simulation and paper/pencil case study simulation.
Students’ knowledge acquisition increased significantly following the scenario-based simulation, but with other questionnaire scores there was no statistically significant differences. In debriefing, the students learned the importance of nursing, and they realized the importance of communication skills and empathy by the simulation．
This result did not explain the readiness improvement of the students before an end-of-life care setting and the superiority of simulation learning；but many points that we should improve were thought about as a result of this study. In the future, the number of participants should be increased and the learning period should be set for a longer time. And an effect may be also expected to appear by changing a combination with the training.
