Electronic medical record systems-based simulation for practicum in critical care nursing

Abstract

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are increasingly used in medical facilities. This study focused on nursing students’ information-gathering ability, an important skill in emergency nursing where patients’ conditions can change rapidly. A simulation exercise was developed based on an educational EMR system and conducted as part of the nursing process exercises that prepare students for on-site practical emergency nursing training. The utility of the EMR system and the educational effectiveness of the simulation exercise were evaluated. To this end, 106 third-year nursing students were surveyed twice: once after they participated in the simulation exercise and once after they undertook their practical training. The results showed that the students evaluated the EMR system’s operability favorably, suggesting that the system has potential as a prototype. Regarding the conditions of the simulation exercise, the results suggested that designing the learning environment so that it features a scenario encountered in practical training settings was effective for helping the students envisage the conditions of practical training.