Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections With a Virtual Simulation Game

The Effect of Virtual Simulation Game on Improving Nursing Students' Knowledge and Skills Regarding Prevention of Catheter- Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a virtual simulation game in improving nursing students' knowledge and abilities in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

Method: The study was designed as a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A pre-test on knowledge and abilities will be administered to all students participating in the study. Following the pre-test evaluation, a training session on "CAUTI Prevention" will be held. The present training approach (lecture method) in the curriculum will be employed in this session. Following the training, the students in the sample group will be randomly divided into the experimental group (students using virtual simulation game application) and the control group (students learning with the existing education method) based on their general weighted grade averages using the stratified randomized approach. The experimental group will play the virtual simulation game for seven days. Knowledge and competence assessments (post-test) of the control and experimental groups will be conducted seven days following the training. The virtual simulation game application will be evaluated by the students in the experimental group after the post-test evaluations. The students' positive, negative, and constructive feedback on the virtual simulation game will be solicited during the assessment. In addition, these students will score in a 5-point Likert type to evaluate the statements about the virtual simulation game.

Hypothesis: H0-1: There is no difference in knowledge about preventing CAUTI between students using the virtual simulation game method and students in the control group.

H1-1: There is a difference in knowledge about preventing CAUTI between students using the virtual simulation game method and students in the control group.

H0-2: There is no difference in CAUTI prevention skills between students using the virtual simulation game method and students in the control group.

H1-2: There is a difference in CAUTI prevention skills between students using the virtual simulation game method and students in the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• To be enrolled in Nursing Profession Courses Practice-II for the first time
• To agree to participate in the study
• To have internet access and smartphone or computer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not filling in the data collection forms of the research at any stage
• Answering the data collection forms of the research incomplete
• Not having received the first or last skill assessments
• Not attending the training on preventing CAUTI
• Not playing/completing the virtual simulation game