Enhancing sickle cell anemia/sickle cell disease genetic understanding through simulation: A descriptive pilot study

Abstract

Objective: Post-test pilot descriptive study of the genetic component of a simulation scenario addressing sickle cell anemia/sickle cell disease exploring students’ and nurse educators’ perceived genetic knowledge. Background: Genetic/genomic knowledge has radically changed the way health care is provided. Augmenting this newly required competency into constrained nursing curricula is a challenge. Simulation prepares students for real-world experiences and as we enter the genetic/genomic era, simulation has an obvious role in expanding and developing these competencies.

Methods: Post-test perceptions of genetic knowledge among nursing students and nurse educators following a genetic-based simulation experience.

Results: Thirty-one junior, thirty-one senior nursing students and eight clinical nurse educators agreed that their understanding of the genetic component improved.

Conclusions: Integrating a genetic component into simulation was an effective educational format to further enhance the genetic knowledge of both students and facilitators. The pilot findings support integrating a genetic component into simulation to further enhance the perceived genetic knowledge of both students and nurse educators. Based on the findings, further research with a pre/post survey will be utilized to continue to explore integrating a genetic component into a simulation experience. This article presents utilizing simulation as a novel contemporary hands-on educational experience designed on sickle cell anemia learning for pre-licensed baccalaureate undergraduate students.