Clinical Research Directory

The Effectiveness of Gamified Metaverse-Based Training on Patient Safety for Nursing Students

Introduction: Patient safety issues, such as medication errors, healthcare-associated infections, unsafe surgical procedures, and diagnostic errors, can negatively impact the quality of healthcare and patient outcomes due to preventable risks. There is a need for innovative, interactive educational approaches to ensure the lasting acquisition of patient safety competencies in nursing students and to strengthen their transfer to the clinical environment. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of gamified metaverse-based training on patient safety competencies in nursing students and to assess student opinions regarding metaverse-based training. Method: The research will be conducted using a mixed-methods design. The quantitative phase will be an experimental design including intervention and control groups, pre-test-post-test, and a one-month follow-up (retention test). The research will be conducted between February 2026 and May 2026 with second-year students studying in the Spring semester of 2025-2026 at Başkent University Nursing Department in Ankara. According to G\*Power calculations, a minimum sample size of 52 was found; considering a possible 10% loss, the total sample size was planned as 60 students (intervention=30, control=30). All participants will take the Patient Safety Knowledge Level Test (pre-test) and the Patient Safety Competency Self-Assessment Tool before the training. This will be followed by 2 hours of traditional theoretical training on patient safety; the intervention group will also receive gamified metaverse-based training via Spatial.io for two weeks. Post-tests will be administered after the training and one month later. Data collection tools include the Demographic Information Form, the Patient Safety Knowledge Level Test, the Patient Safety Competency Self-Assessment Tool (PSCS), and focus group interviews to be conducted in the intervention group. Quantitative data will be analyzed through within-group and between-group comparisons; qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis, and the findings will be interpreted holistically. Findings (Expected): Gamified metaverse-based training is expected to provide a greater increase in mean scores on the Patient Safety Knowledge Level Test (PSL) and total and sub-dimension scores (knowledge-skills-attitudes) of nursing students compared to the control group, and to support the retention of these results. Conclusion: This study is expected to generate evidence regarding the effectiveness of gamified metaverse-based training in improving patient safety competencies in nursing education and to contribute to the structuring of patient safety training in a more integrated, student-centered, and sustainable manner.

The Effect of SBAR Communication Program on Nursing Students' Perceptions of Clinical Decision Making and Medical Error Prevention Levels: A Mixed Methods Study

In clinical settings, teamwork plays a vital role in improving patient care outcomes. Effective and structured communication within the team ensures that a holistic service is provided to patients. However, unclear and inadequate communication between healthcare professionals is a common problem. Such communication problems can be one of the main factors that compromise patient safety and lead to medication errors. Nurses play a key role in this process as they are the healthcare professionals who interact most with patients. Nurses need to not only correctly understand the instructions to be given to the patient, but also to convey information about the patient clearly and accurately to other nurses, doctors and other members of the healthcare team. In this context, opportunities to communicate using a common language and develop these skills form an essential part of the education of nursing students. The use of structured communication tools, especially SBAR, can play an important role in the prevention of medical errors while improving the clinical decision-making skills of future nurses. The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication tool is a structured model used to ensure effective communication in healthcare. "The Effect of SBAR Communication Program on Clinical Decision Making and Medical Error Awareness Levels of Nursing Students: A Mixed Method Study" is a mixed method research using experimental and qualitative research designs. The data of the research will be collected with the "Student Information Form", "Clinical Decision Making Scale in Nursing" and "Medical Error Scale for Nursing Students" "Semi-Structured Interview Form". Quantitative data processing and statistical analysis will be done with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. Qualitative data analysis will be done using hand coding and content analysis method. As a result, this research will clearly demonstrate the benefits of integrating communication tools such as SBAR into nursing education, contribute to the development of new methods in education and the reduction of medical errors.