Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Simulation-Based Training on Enhancing Positive Attitudes toward Newborn Skin Assessment among Neonatal ICU Nurses
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Maintenance of skin integrity in the neonatal period is crucial to avoid morbidity and mortality associated with skin problems in infants admitted to the neonatal ICUs (NICUs). Neonatal ICU nurses play a key role in the assessment of newborn skin for the early detection and management of skin injury. Consequently, there is a need to foster positive attitudes toward newborn skin assessment among nurses through training to reduce the incidence of skin injury. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of virtual reality simulator (VRS)-based training on the attitude toward newborn skin assessment among NICU nurses. METHODS: The study had a quasi-experimental design, involving pretest/posttest comparisons. A total of 73 NICU nurses (training group, n = 33; control group, n = 40) working in public and private hospitals in Gaziantep, Turkey, were included in the study, which was conducted from March to May 2022. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic and Occupational Data Form and the Newborn Skin Assessment Attitude Scale (NSAAS). The nurses in the training group received a VRS training program that was developed based on the theory of attitude change known as the Message-Learning Approach. The control group did not receive any training. RESULTS: Intragroup and between-group comparisons of the pretest and posttest scores of the NSAAS subdimensions (awareness, practice, and avoidance) and total scores after training showed that all subdimension scores and total NSAAS scores improved significantly in the training group. CONCLUSIONS: The VRS training was effective in enhancing or reinforcing positive attitudes toward newborn skin assessment among NICU nurses.
Source: Advances in Skin & Wound Care
Authors: Adnan Batuhan Coşkun, Zerrin Çiğdem
Institutions: Istanbul Topkapi University, Hasan Kalyoncu University
Language: English
Topic: Neonatal skin health care
Subfield: Speech and Hearing
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409155394