Clinical Research Directory

Blockchain-Enabled E-Portfolios for Competency Tracking in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluates whether a blockchain-enabled electronic portfolio can improve competency tracking and lifelong learning in undergraduate nursing education. Conventional electronic portfolios are often fragmented across courses and clinical rotations, difficult to verify across institutions, and limited in supporting learner ownership of records. To address these challenges, this study compares a blockchain-enabled e-portfolio system with a conventional Moodle-based e-portfolio during a medical-surgical clinical rotation. Third-year undergraduate nursing students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia, were randomly assigned to use either the blockchain-enabled e-portfolio intervention or the conventional e-portfolio control. The intervention was designed to support cryptographically verifiable competency records, structured reflective evidence, and personalized competency feedback through dashboard analytics. The main outcomes include clinical competence assessed by an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), lifelong learning orientation, portfolio quality, and trust in the credibility and portability of competency records. After the quantitative phase, focus group interviews were conducted with students in the intervention group to explore their experiences with the system and the mechanisms through which it may influence learning. The study aims to determine whether blockchain-enabled e-portfolios offer educational advantages over conventional portfolio systems in competency-based nursing education and to identify implementation factors that may support or hinder adoption.

Evaluating the Impact of Operating Room Simulations on Communication Skills and Patient Safety (EIORS-CPS)

Simulation-based training has emerged as a valuable tool for enhancing communication skills among healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of operating room (OR) simulations on the development of communication skills for patient safety. The study focused on two key areas: the development of communication skills for patient-centered care and the role of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in enhancing communication and patient safety during simulations.

Optimizing OR Simulation in MEDI 045: Bias Reduction and Strategic Improvements (OPTIMIST)

This study explores the evolving landscape of operating room (OR) simulation by identifying key trends, addressing potential biases, and providing actionable recommendations for improvement. Using data-driven analysis, the research uncovers patterns in skill development and decision-making, offering insights into the effectiveness of current OR simulation programs. The study also tackles biases in data collection, including selection and response bias, ensuring the reliability of findings.

PROgressive struCturEd Simulation-based Surgical Training Program (PROCESS) - Open Vascular Surgery

A triple-arm, randomized, simple-blinded clinical trial will be conducted. A control sequence and an intervention sequence of three subgroups with different exposure levels to the simulation program are proposed. Group 1: open abdominal aortic repair (AAOR), Group 2: vascular anastomosis (VA) and AAOR, and Group 3: specific micro-surgical skills, VA and AAOR. Surgical residents of general, vascular, or cardiovascular surgery programs will be included. Sample size calculation resulted in 45 participants, 15 in each group. Simple blinding will involve external evaluators. Randomization will occur as a simple randomization.