This research project will evaluate a gamified electronic medication administration record (eMAR) system simulator as a mechanism to improve students' learning of medication administration in simulated clinical education. The gamified eMAR simulator will be evaluated using a pragmatic randomized controlled trial design in order to determine the effectiveness of the game as a technology-enabled, online learning intervention.
The main objective of this study is to examine whether the use of a gamified medication administration simulator improves nursing students' medication administration safety within simulated practice; increases student self-efficacy and knowledge of the medication administration process; and, improves motivational and cognitive processing attributes related to student learning in a technology-enabled environment. It is hoped that by completing this trial, the effectiveness of using an eMAR simulator as an educational tool to better prepare nursing students to administer medications using eMAR technology for practice will be ascertained.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
115
The eMAR simulator videogame affords students a virtual and immersive opportunity to practice medication administration using an eMAR system, in a structured fashion that provides real-time feedback related to best-practices and safety compliance of the medication process
Participants complete normal education pre-work related to eMAR administration, in advance of simulated return-demonstration
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada
Frequency of medication errors
Number medication errors generated by nursing students, as assessed by a previously modified researcher-developed rubric that assists observers to quantify the number of medication errors generated during a return-demonstration in clinical simulation (DOI:10.1097/NNE.0000000000000361 / 10.1016/j.ecns.2017.05.016). The quantity of medication errors are codified in six categories: infection control; assessment; verification; scan; administration; documentation.
Time frame: weeks 6-9
Self-efficacy of eMAR medication administration instrument
Self-efficacy of eMAR medication process will be assessed through a pre/post survey. The scale is 6 item scale (1=not confident; 7=absolutely confident). The higher the index, the higher an individual's perceived self-efficacy toward eMAR medication administration. Used as a pre/post test, this instrument will measure changes over time related to eMAR medication administration self-efficacy
Time frame: weeks 4-9
Game motivational and cognitive attributes of participants instrument
Cross-sectional data will be collected using questions modified from the Huang et al. (2011) validated instrument that measures motivational (i.e., attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) and cognitive processing of learning in technology-enabled environments (20 questions, Cronbach's alpha = 0.91). This composite outcome is reported through tests of dimensionality, using a canonical correlational analysis, providing standardized coefficients between the instrument's sub-components.
Time frame: week 9
Knowledge of eMAR medication administration instrument
Knowledge of eMAR medication process will be assessed through a pre/post survey. The scale is 8 item scale (1=not prepared; 7=absolutely prepared). The higher the index, the higher an individual's perceived knowledge toward eMAR medication administration. Used as a pre/post test, this instrument will measure changes over time related to eMAR medication administration knowledge
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Time frame: weeks 4-9