The Effect of Standard Patient Practices on Empathy Levels and Problem-Solving Skills of Nursing Students

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of simulated training using standard patient on the empathy levels and problem-solving skills of intern nurses. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 39 intern nurses. The students were divided into two separate groups and each group was run with a scenario prepared with two separate cases. The groups were taken into simulation application on different days. The data collection forms were applied before the simulation application and after the simulation application. Student data form, Problem Solving Scale, Empathic Tendency Scale-A and Empathic Tendency Scale-B were used as data collection forms in the study. Results: It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of Empathic Tendency Scales pre-test and post-test scores of the intern nurses. The problem-solving scales were not found to be statistically significant between the pre-test and post-test scores. Prior to participating in the simulation training, the mean of the Empathic Tendency Scale-A score of the intern nurses was determined as 139.02 ± 20.4 (t= -3.739 p= 0.001) and the mean Empathic Tendency Scale-B score was 59.02 ± 8.31 (t= -8.263, p <0.001). Conclusions: Simulation training using a standard patient increases the empathy skills of intern nurses.

Keywords

• standardized patients
• empathy
• problem solving
• nursing students