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Impact of Simulation-Based Intervention on Empathy, Communication, and Self-Efficacy Among Mental Health Nursing Students
Sponsor: Near East University, Turkey
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized patient simulation-based educational intervention among undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Mental Health Nursing course at the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus International University, during the 2025-2026 academic year. A total of 70 eligible undergraduate nursing students were randomly allocated to an experimental group or a control group. Students in the experimental group participated in a structured simulation-based educational program using trained standardized patients portraying individuals with bipolar disorder. The simulation scenarios represent common clinical presentations of bipolar disorder, including acute manic episodes, depressive episodes , emotional instability, and mixed features associated with medication non-adherence. Students practice mental health assessment, therapeutic communication, therapeutic relationship building, and appropriate nursing interventions, followed by structured debriefing and reflection. The intervention was based on the principles of Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and was delivered through weekly simulation sessions. The control group received the routine Mental Health Nursing curriculum, including theoretical instruction and regular clinical placement experiences, without participation in the standardized patient simulation program. The primary outcome is therapeutic communication skills, while secondary outcomes include empathy and communication self-efficacy. Outcomes will be assessed using validated assessment scales at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The study evaluate whether standardized patient simulation is more effective than traditional teaching methods in developing key clinical and interpersonal competencies among undergraduate nursing students preparing to care for patients with bipolar disorder.
Official title: Evaluating The Impact of A Simulation-Based Intervention on Empathy, Therapeutic Communication, And Self-Efficacy Among Mental Health Nursing Students: Guided by Jean Watson Theory
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 27 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2026-05-01
Completion Date
2026-05-29
Last Updated
2026-08-12
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Experimental Group and Control Group
An organized simulation-focused training initiative utilizing standardized patients and bipolar disorder case studies to enable mental health nursing students to enhance their therapeutic communication, Empathy Self efficacy and nurse-patient engagement skills. The Experimental group were provided a structure simulation training with standardize patient scenarios guided by Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring and features systematic simulation activities, interaction with standardized patients, supported debriefing sessions. while Control group has no simulation training only traditional curriculum lecture was given.
Locations (1)
Joy Johnson Agbo
Nicosia, Lefkosa, Cyprus